Question

Light with an energy flux of `18 W//cm^2` falls on a non-reflecting surface at normal incidence. If the surface has an area of `20 cm^2`, find the average force exerted on the surface during a `30` minute time span.

Answer 1

The toal energy falling on the surface is
`U=(18w//cm^(2))xx(20cm^(2))xx(30xx60)`
`=6.48xx10^(5)J`
Therefore, the total momentum delivered (for complete absorption) is
`P=(U)/(c)=(6.48xx10^(5)J)/(3xx10^(8)m//s)=2.16xx10^(-3)kg m//s`
The average force exerted on the surface is
`F=(P)/(t)=(2.16xx10^(-3))/(0.18xx10^(4))=1.2xx10^(-6)N`
How will your result be modified if the surface is a perfect reflector?