during 2004, Japanese scientists successfully tested two solar sails. one had a

Question

during 2004, Japanese scientists successfully tested two solar sails. one had a somewhat complicated shape that we shall model as a disk is 9 m in diameter and 7.5 micrometer thick. the intensity of solar energy at that location was about 1400 W/m^2.

1. what force did the suns light exert that the sail was perfectly reflecting?

2. if the sail was made of magnesium, of density 1.74 g/cm^3, what acceleration would the suns radiation give to the sail?

3. does the acceleration seem large enough to be feasible for space flight? in what ways could the sail be modified to increase its acceleration

Explanation / Answer

1. For perfectly reflecting the radiation pressure P= 2*I/c = 2 *1400 /3*10^8 = 9.4 *10^-6 Pa

F= P*A = P*r^2 = P*(D/2)^2 = (9.4 *10^-6)*(3.14*(9/2)^2 = 6*10^-4 N

2.   Mass m = *V = *A*L = *(D/2)^2*L = 1740 kg/m^3 *63.56m^2*7.5*10^-6m = 0.83kg

a= F/m = (6*10^-4)/0.83 = 7*10^-4 m/s^2

3. This acceleration is not feasible for space flight since its too small.

We can increase acceleration by reducing value of mass.

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