Some science fiction writers have used solar sails to propel interstellar spaceships. Imagine a giant sail erected on a spacecraft subjected to the solar radiation pressure.

(a) Show that the spacecraft's acceleration is given by

Where PS is the power output of the sun and is equal to 3.8 × 10²⁶ W, A is the surface area of the sail, m is the total mass of the spacecraft, r is the distance from the sun, and c is the speed of light.

(b) Show that the velocity of the spacecraft at a distance r from the sun is found from

Where v₀ is the initial velocity at r₀.

(c) Compare the relative accelerations due to the radiation pressure and the gravitational force. Use reasonable values for A and m. Will such a systemwork?

Transcribed Image Text:

PSA a 4лr*ст