How Does Classical Radiation Pressure Depend on Brightness and Frequency?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the classical understanding of radiation pressure, emphasizing the relationship between brightness and frequency. It asserts that increased brightness from a light source results in higher radiation pressure, while higher frequency light, such as gamma rays, also contributes to increased pressure. The conversation distinguishes between classical equations and those derived from special relativity, highlighting the challenge of defining "brightness" in a precise manner. The participants express a desire for a classical equation that incorporates these factors without invoking relativistic concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical physics principles
  • Familiarity with radiation pressure concepts
  • Knowledge of light intensity and energy density
  • Basic grasp of quantum mechanics, specifically E=hf
NEXT STEPS
  • Research classical radiation pressure equations and their derivations
  • Explore the relationship between light intensity and pressure in classical physics
  • Investigate the implications of frequency on radiation pressure, particularly for high-frequency light
  • Study the distinctions between classical and quantum mechanical approaches to light and energy
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students of classical mechanics, and anyone interested in the principles of radiation pressure and its dependence on light characteristics.

luckis11
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The known Radiation Pressure equation is based on Special Relativity as I saw here:
http://farside.ph.utexas.edu/teaching/em/lectures/node90.html

I do not want relativistic. I want is a classical one that shows distinctivly the factor of brightness and the factor of frequency (colour) that increase Pressure. I.e. the ... brighter the light of the lamp is, the higher the Pressure. But brightness can change with no colour change. And also the higher the frequency, the higher the Pressure because that's what they say for gamma rays.

I would not say no to a such equation that shows the "relativistic" E=hf because it is...not based on special relativity! They also say it for the phonon of the sound where there is no relativity there: Phonon is just a wavefront.

I find it impossible to find that.
 
Last edited:
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"Brightness" is not a very well-defined quantity.
Special relativity pops up everywhere when you talk about radiation pressure. No problem with that. You can find the pressure purely in terms of classical quantities like the intensity or the energy density.

What you can avoid is quantum mechanics. E=hf, the energy of a photon, is an equation of quantum mechanics, not relativity.
 

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