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

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that,

Average power of sun
`P=3.79*10^(26)\ Watt`

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

Using formula of intensity

`I=(P_(avg))/(4\pi r^2)`

Where, I = intensity

P = power

Put the value into the formula

`I=(3.79*10^(26))/(4\pi*(1.496*10^(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 = (2I)/(c)`

Put the value into the formula

`P=(2*1347.616)/(3*10^(8))`

`P=8.984*10^(-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=(I)/(c)`

`P=(1347.616)/(3*10^(8))`

`P=4.492*10^(-6)\ N/m`

Hence, This is the required solution.