Special relativity A.P.French 6.8 (is there solution manuals for this book?)

[ladybeetle]

Homework Statement

A thrust-beam space vehicle works by bearing a sort of sail which feels the push of a strong steady laser light beam directed at it from earth. If the sail is perfectly reflecting, calculate the mass of light required to accelerate a vehicle of rest mass M₀ up to a fixed value of θ.

Homework Equations

total energy is conserved, So

E=mc^2-(1/2)(M₀+m)v^2=0

so, dE/dt=0 because energy is conserved.

The Attempt at a Solution

dE/dt=0-2/2(M₀+m)vdv/t=0

so (M₀+m)=0, or m=M₀.

it is known that the rest mass of photon has energy, but it's not known whether it will apply a force on the object it hits, from the equation, there is a change in momentum, but not in force. in fact, the change is momentum and acceleration is zero.

where can I find solution manuals for Special relativity A.P. French The M.I.T introductory physics series?

 

[jbsteele]

You can find solution manuals for Special Relativity A.P. French The M.I.T Introductory Physics Series on the M.I.T website.