Question

A communications satellite orbiting the earth has solar panels that completely absorb all sunlight incident upon them. The total area A of the panels is 10m2.
1) The intensity of the sun's radiation incident upon the earth is about I = 1.4kW/m2. Suppose this is the value for the intensity of sunlight incident upon the satellite's solar panels. What is the total solar power P absorbed by the panels?
2) What is the total force F on the panels exerted by radiation pressure from the sunlight?

Answer 1

Answer:

0.00004666N

Explanation:

We know that

intensity (I) = P/ A

Where

P= power

A= Area

So lets say that the power absorbed

Will be = Intensity x Area

Which Is = 1.4 x 10^3 x(10)

So

14000 Watt = 14 kWatt

However we know that radiation pressure is equal to

time-averaged intensity all over the speed of light in free space

So

P = (1.4 x 1000)/c

But

F= P x A

So

((1.4 x 1000)/(3 x1 0^8)) x 10

Which is

=0.000046666N

Explanation: