Momentum attained by a laser beam

In summary, a 1500 kg spaceship in outer space turns on a 10kW laser beam, which carries away 864000000J of energy in 1 day. Using the equations for momentum and energy of a photon, the speed of the ship can be calculated to be 1073.31 m/s. The equation for the momentum of a photon is p = h/λ and the equation for energy is E = hc/ν. By substituting and manipulating these equations, the number of photons/second of this momentum can be determined.
  • #1
jstrike
3
0
A small spaceship, with a mass of 1500 kg (including occupants), is at rest in outer space with negligible gravitational forces acting on it. If the astronaut turns on a 10kW laser beam that points out of the ship into the deep of space, what speed will the ship attain in 1 day because of the momentum carried away by the beam?

W=J/s
10000W=10000J/s
10000*60*60*24= 864000000J
864000000=.5*1500v^2
v= 1073.31

where do i go from here?
 
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  • #2
What's the equation for the momentum of a photon and it's energy.
How many photons/second of this momentum can you generate from this laser power
 
  • #3
E=pc
p= h/ lamda
E= hc/ frequency
play with these formulas by sub. then you should get it.. by the way the p=momentum
 

1. What is momentum attained by a laser beam?

The momentum of a laser beam refers to the amount of force and motion that the beam possesses. It is a measure of the beam's ability to transfer energy to an object it interacts with.

2. How is momentum attained by a laser beam calculated?

The momentum of a laser beam can be calculated using the formula p = h/λ, where p is the momentum, h is Planck's constant, and λ is the wavelength of the laser beam.

3. What factors affect the momentum attained by a laser beam?

The momentum of a laser beam can be influenced by several factors, including the power and intensity of the beam, the wavelength, and the angle of incidence.

4. What is the significance of momentum in laser applications?

Momentum is a crucial aspect in laser applications, as it determines the amount of energy that can be transferred to a target. It is used in various fields, such as laser propulsion, laser cutting, and laser welding.

5. How does the momentum of a laser beam change in different mediums?

The momentum of a laser beam can change when it travels through different mediums, such as air, water, or glass. This change is due to the varying refractive indexes of these materials, which affect the speed and direction of the beam.

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