When light reaches the surface of a perfect absorber, it gives up its linear momentum. to the surface. The radiation pressure P (average force per unit area) is given by: P = I/c0 , where I is the intensity of light and c0 is the speed of light in free space. In a perfect reflector the pressure exerted by light is twice that exerted by it on a perfect absorber, because linear momentum changes direction, rather than simply being absorbed. The intensity of sunlight reaching
When light reaches the surface of a perfect absorber, it gives up its linear momentum. to the surface. The
P = I/c0 ,
where I is the intensity of light and c0 is the
In a perfect reflector the pressure exerted by light is twice that exerted by it on a perfect absorber, because linear momentum changes direction, rather than simply being absorbed. The intensity of sunlight reaching the earth is about 1300 W/m2.
a) If sunlight hits a perfect absorber, what pressure does the light exert on the absorber?
b) What pressure does light exert on a perfect reflector?
c) To what fraction of atmospheric pressure corresponds the pressure exerted by light on a perfect reflector?
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