A star emits most of the energy it produces in the form of light waves. A spherical spacecraft of radius r = 50 m arrives to investigate the star. It is at a distance of 50 · 10^6 km from the stars center. The spaceship absorbs all the light that hits its surface. The power absorbed by the spacecraft from the star is 10^7 W (assume that the spaceship absorbs all the radiation that hits it). (a) Estimate the force that the EM radiation exerts on the spaceship. (b) What is the intensity (energy per area) of the star’s radiation at the location of the spacecraft? (c) What is the power output of the star? (d) Say that there is second spherical spacecraft a distance d = 10^8 km away, with a radius r = 10 m. If this spacecraft completely absorbs the radiation of the star, what is the power absorbed by the spaceship? [hint: The important area of the spaceship is its circular cross section]
A star emits most of the energy it produces in the form of light waves. A spherical spacecraft of radius r = 50 m arrives to investigate the star. It is at a distance of 50 · 10^6 km from the stars center. The spaceship absorbs all the light that hits its surface. The power absorbed by the spacecraft from the star is 10^7 W (assume that the spaceship absorbs all the radiation that hits it). (a) Estimate the force that the EM radiation exerts on the spaceship. (b) What is the intensity (energy per area) of the star’s radiation at the location of the spacecraft? (c) What is the power output of the star? (d) Say that there is second spherical spacecraft a distance d = 10^8 km away, with a radius r = 10 m. If this spacecraft completely absorbs the radiation of the star, what is the power absorbed by the spaceship? [hint: The important area of the spaceship is its circular cross section]
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology Update (No access codes included)
9th Edition
ISBN:9781305116399
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Chapter34: Electromagnetic Waves
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 34.43P: A possible means of space flight is to place a perfectly reflecting aluminized sheet into orbit...
Related questions
Topic Video
Question
A star emits most of the energy it produces in the form of light waves. A spherical spacecraft of radius r = 50 m arrives to investigate the star. It is at a distance of 50 · 10^6 km from the stars center. The spaceship absorbs all the light that hits its surface. The power absorbed by the spacecraft from the star is 10^7 W (assume that the spaceship absorbs all the radiation that hits it).
(a) Estimate the force that the EM radiation exerts on the spaceship.
(b) What is the intensity (energy per area) of the star’s radiation at the location of the spacecraft?
(c) What is the power output of the star?
(d) Say that there is second spherical spacecraft a distance d = 10^8 km away, with a radius r = 10 m. If this spacecraft completely absorbs the radiation of the star, what is the power absorbed by the spaceship? [hint: The important area of the spaceship is its circular cross section]
Expert Solution
This question has been solved!
Explore an expertly crafted, step-by-step solution for a thorough understanding of key concepts.
Step 1: Given that:
VIEWStep 2: (a) Estimation of the force that the EM radiation exerts on the spaceship:
VIEWStep 3: (b) The intensity of the star’s radiation at the location of the spacecraft:
VIEWStep 4: (c) The power output of the star:
VIEWStep 5: (d) Power absorbed when d and r is changed:
VIEWSolution
VIEW
Step by step
Solved in 6 steps with 6 images
Knowledge Booster
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.Recommended textbooks for you
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics
ISBN:
9781305116399
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Technology …
Physics
ISBN:
9781305116399
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781305952300
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781285737027
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:
9781133104261
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Modern Physics
Physics
ISBN:
9781111794378
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Physics for Scientists and Engineers
Physics
ISBN:
9781337553278
Author:
Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:
Cengage Learning