How Do Photons Exert Force Without Mass?

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Photons exert force through their momentum, which can be expressed using the equations p=E/c, E=hc/λ, and p=h/λ. The discussion centers on deriving the pressure exerted by radiation from a star at a distance r, considering the momentum of photons and their interaction with surfaces. The force exerted by photons can be calculated as dp/dt, linking momentum to pressure as force per unit area. The pressure depends on whether the photons are absorbed or reflected, leading to different outcomes in calculations. Understanding these relationships is essential for accurately determining radiation pressure.
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If p=E/c for a photon, and I'm given a bunch of other equations such as E=hc/λ and p=h/λ and E=hf and more...

Note: h=planck's constant, f=frequency, c=speed of light, E=energy, p=momentum.

I'm wondering how to find dp/dt (=Force)?Original question:
Photons carry momentum, hence they exert pressure on the surface they strike. In this question, we we'll computer the approximate pressure at a distance r exerted by radiation from a star, using the relativistic equation between energy, momentum, and mass. Pressure is force exerted per unit surface area. The force exerted per particle can be written dp/dt where p is the momentum of the particle (from F ~ v^2 and p ~ v). Derive an expression for pressure P at a radius r from the radiation originating isotropically from a point source (i.e. a star), in terms of the momentum of the photons and radius r. (This is most easily derived by imagining that the photons are striking a spherical shell of radius r centered on the star).
 
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it depends on if the photon is absorbed or totally reflected.

Are you looking for radiation pressure? Use stefan boltzmans law, or rather, derive it.
 
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