Solving a Puzzling Solar Radiation Problem

[Beer-monster]

Hi guys

I'm flicking thorugh some past papers for an upcoming exam and came across this seemingly easy problem.

"The average intensity of solar radiation at the Earth is 1.4kW/m^2. Assuming the Earth is a perfect absorber, calculate the force exerted by the radiation on the surface of the Earth. The mean radius of the Earth is 6400 km"

Now I know that the radiation pressure on a perfect absorber is equal to the energy density, which is equal to the intensity divided by the speed of light.

$$P = U = \frac{I}{c}$$

Given that P=F/A I get that the force should be.

$$F = \frac {IA}{c} = \frac {I 4\pi R^2}{c}$$

Although it could be $$\frac {I 2\pi R^2}{c}$$

As the sunlight only directly hits approximately half of the Earth's surface. But either way, when I plug in the numbers I don't get the answer my Lecturer gave of 600 MN.

I must be missing something, but I can't see it. If any of you guys can I'd appreciate it.

 

[Doc Al]

Since the sunlight is essentially parallel, the area of interest is that of a circle (not a hemisphere or sphere).

 

[Beer-monster]

That makes sense, since I had noticed I was out by a factor of 4, I just couldn't come up with the physical meaning.

Thanks Doc Al