3D Light Pressure Simulation
This simulation demonstrates how light exerts force on a non-reflecting surface:
18 W/cm²
20 cm²
30 minutes
Total Energy: 6.48 × 10⁵ J
Momentum Delivered: 2.16 × 10⁻³ kg m/s
Average Force: 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ N
Physics Calculation:
Given:
- Energy flux = 18 W/cm²
- Surface area = 20 cm²
- Time duration = 30 minutes (1800 seconds)
- Speed of light (c) = 3 × 10⁸ m/s
Step 1: Calculate total energy
\( U = \text{Flux} \times \text{Area} \times \text{Time} \)
\( U = 18 \, \text{W/cm}^2 \times 20 \, \text{cm}^2 \times 1800 \, \text{s} = 6.48 \times 10^5 \, \text{J} \)
Step 2: Calculate momentum delivered
\( p = \frac{U}{c} = \frac{6.48 \times 10^5 \, \text{J}}{3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s}} = 2.16 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{kg m/s} \)
Step 3: Calculate average force
\( F = \frac{p}{t} = \frac{2.16 \times 10^{-3} \, \text{kg m/s}}{1800 \, \text{s}} = 1.2 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{N} \)
The average force exerted on the surface is \( 1.2 \times 10^{-6} \, \text{N} \)