Radiation pressure is the force exerted by electromagnetic radiation, such as light, on an object. It is caused by the transfer of momentum from photons to the surface of the object.
Radiation pressure is calculated using the formula P = E/c, where P is the pressure, E is the energy of the radiation, and c is the speed of light.
Radiation pressure has numerous applications, such as solar sails in space exploration, optical tweezers in biological research, and pressure sensors in astronomical instruments.
Radiation pressure affects objects differently depending on their size and shape. Smaller objects with a larger surface area experience a greater force, while larger objects with a smaller surface area experience a smaller force.
Radiation pressure is the force responsible for the outward pressure that counteracts the inward gravitational force in stars. This balance allows stars to maintain their shape and prevents them from collapsing under their own weight.