Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 33 - Electromagnetic Waves - Problems - Page 1006: 74a

Answer

If $r$ is smaller than $R$, then the magnitude of the force from the radiation pressure will be greater than the magnitude of the gravitational force. In this case, the particle will be blown out of the solar system.

Work Step by Step

Let $r$ be the radius of the particle. To find the critical radius, we can equate the magnitude of the gravitational force and the force from the radiation pressure: $\frac{G~M_s~M}{d^2} = \frac{I~A}{c}$ $\frac{G~M_s~V~\rho}{d^2} = \frac{I~\pi~r^2}{c}$ $\frac{G~M_s~\frac{4}{3}\pi~r^3~\rho}{d^2} = \frac{I~\pi~r^2}{c}$ $\frac{4~G~M_s~r~\rho}{3d^2} = \frac{I}{c}$ The critical radius $R$ is the value of $r$ which makes this equation true. If $r$ is smaller than $R$, then the magnitude of the force from the radiation pressure will be greater than the magnitude of the gravitational force. In this case, the particle will be blown out of the solar system.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.