A spherical interplanetary grain of dust of radius 0.2 mm is at a distance r1 from the Sun. The gravitational force exerted by the Sun on the grain just balances the force due to radiation pressure from the Suns light. (i) Assume the grain is moved to a distance 2r1 from the Sun and released. At this location, what is the net force exerted on the grain? (a) toward the Sun (b) away from the Sun (c) zero (d) impossible to determine without knowing the mass of the grain (ii) Now assume the grain is moved back to its original location at r1, compressed so that it crystallizes into a sphere with significantly higher density, and then released. In this situation, what is the net force exerted on the grain? Choose from the same possibilities as in part (i).
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Textbook Solutions for Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
Question
A possible means of space flight 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 A 5 6.00 3 105 m2 and mass m 5 6.00 3 103 kg is placed in orbit facing the Sun. Ignore all gravitational effects and assume a solar intensity of 1 370 W/m2. (a) What force is exerted on the sail? (b) What is the sails acceleration? (c) Assuming the acceleration calculated in part (b) remains constant, find the time interval required for the sail to reach the Moon, 3.84 3 108 m away, starting from rest at the Earth.
Solution
The first step in solving 34 problem number 43 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: A possible means of space flight 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 A 5 6.00 3 105 m2 and mass m 5 6.00 3 103 kg is placed in orbit facing the Sun. Ignore all gravitational effects and assume a solar intensity of 1 370 W/m2. (a) What force is exerted on the sail? (b) What is the sails acceleration? (c) Assuming the acceleration calculated in part (b) remains constant, find the time interval required for the sail to reach the Moon, 3.84 3 108 m away, starting from rest at the Earth.
From the textbook chapter Electromagnetic Waves you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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