Question

the average power of the Sun is 3.79x1026 Watts, answer the following questions: 13. What is the average intensity of light at Earth's position? 14. What would be the pressure on a solar sail due to the light of the Sun if it's (A) fully reflective or (B) fully absorptive?

Answer 1

Explanation:

Given that,

Average power of sun $P=3.79\times10^{26}\ Watt$

We need to calculate the intensity of light at Earth's position

Using formula of intensity

$I=\dfrac{P_{avg}}{4\pi r^2}$

Where, I = intensity

P = power

Put the value into the formula

$I=\dfrac{3.79\times10^{26}}{4\pi\times(1.496\times10^{11})^2}$

$I=1347.616\ W/m^2$

So, The intensity is 1347.616 W/m².

(A). We need to calculate the pressure on a solar sail due to the light of the sun if it's fully reflective

Using formula for fully reflective

$P = \dfrac{2I}{c}$

Put the value into the formula

$P=\dfrac{2\times1347.616}{3\times10^{8}}$

$P=8.984\times10^{-6}\ N/m$

(B).  We need to calculate the pressure on a solar sail due to the light of the sun if it's fully reflective

Using formula for fully absorptive

$P=\dfrac{I}{c}$

$P=\dfrac{1347.616}{3\times10^{8}}$

$P=4.492\times10^{-6}\ N/m$

Hence, This is the required solution.