One possible way of spacecraft propulsion is to place a perfectly reflecting alu
ID: 1527891 • Letter: O
Question
One possible way of spacecraft propulsion is to place a perfectly reflecting aluminized sheet into orbit around the Earth and then use the light from the Sun to push this "solar sail." Suppose a sail of area 6.80 times 10^5 m^2 and mass 6800 kg is placed in orbit facing the Sun. What force is exerted on the sail? What is the sail's acceleration? How long would it take for the sail to reach the Moon, 3.84 times 10^8 m away? Ignore all gravitational effects, assume the acceleration calculated in part (b) remains constant, and assume a solar intensity of 1370 W/m^2.Explanation / Answer
a) prresure p = 2s/c
s = 1370 W/m^2
f = p*A = 2sA/c
f = 2*1370*6.8*10^5/3*10^8 = 6.21 N
b) a = f/m = 6.21/6800 = 9.1*10^-4 m/s^2
c) x = 1/2at^2
t = sqrt(2x/a) = sqrt(2*3.84*10^8/9.1*10^-4)
t = 9.19*10^5 sec = 10.64 days
Related Questions
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.