Solar radiation pressure on spacecraft · CAP 2005 #22

Physics · electromagnetism

Problem

Two otherwise identical spaceships have different solar sails: sail A is a perfect reflector, sail B is a perfect absorber. Each starts at the same distance from the Sun and travels radially outward. Let ΔpA\Delta p_A and ΔpB\Delta p_B be the momentum gained by the ships after travelling equal distances. Then (a) ΔpA=ΔpB\Delta p_A = \Delta p_B; (b) ΔpA>ΔpB\Delta p_A > \Delta p_B; (c) ΔpA<ΔpB\Delta p_A < \Delta p_B; (d) ΔpA=ΔpB=0\Delta p_A = \Delta p_B = 0.

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