Understanding Solar Sails: The Physics Behind the Poofing Effect

In summary, the author's conclusion is that a reflecting sail will work twice as well as an absorbing one. Conservation of momentum says that no energy is imparted to the mirror, and thus the mirror can't be accelerated.
  • #36
Greetings !
Originally posted by Hurkyl
Nope! The frequency of the photons just before they hit the sail is different from their frequency just after they're reflected. The proof is identical to the derivation of the Doppler effect. Numerically, the result is identical to the situation where the mirror absorbs then re-emits the photon. (Isn't that what perfect reflection is, anyways?)
Are you talking about the frequency that is relative to the sail ?
What about the energy transferred then ? Is this the energy that has to do with the momentum exchange ?

AoC, like russ explained there should be an exchange of momentum.

wimms, Solar Wind propulsion is completely different. It
envolves using EM fields to capture the energetic particles
and use their momentum. I don't know about the energy relation
but I thing the potential momentum relation is higher. Further
more, there's now way (that we know of for now, at least) to
reflect all of the Sun's light. The solar sail only reflects
several frequencies out of the whole spectrum that's emmited by
the Sun (though the area of visual frequencies is the main - more enegized area of the spectrum).

Live long and prosper.
 
<h2>1. What is a solar sail?</h2><p>A solar sail is a spacecraft propulsion system that uses the pressure of sunlight to propel the spacecraft forward. It consists of a large, thin, reflective sail made of a lightweight material such as Mylar or aluminum. When sunlight reflects off the sail, it transfers momentum to the spacecraft, causing it to accelerate.</p><h2>2. How does the poofing effect work?</h2><p>The poofing effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a solar sail is deployed in space. As the sail is unfurled, it creates a large surface area that reflects sunlight. This reflection creates a force that pushes against the sail, causing it to accelerate. The poofing effect is caused by the pressure of sunlight particles, which are constantly bombarding the sail and transferring their momentum to it.</p><h2>3. What factors affect the poofing effect?</h2><p>The poofing effect is affected by several factors, including the size and shape of the sail, the material it is made of, and the distance from the sun. A larger sail will have a greater surface area for sunlight to reflect off of, resulting in a stronger poofing effect. The shape of the sail also plays a role, as a curved sail will reflect sunlight more efficiently than a flat one. The material of the sail must also be lightweight and highly reflective to maximize the poofing effect. Finally, the distance from the sun affects the intensity of sunlight and thus the strength of the poofing effect.</p><h2>4. What are the potential applications of solar sails?</h2><p>Solar sails have the potential to revolutionize space travel by providing a highly efficient and renewable source of propulsion. They could be used for long-distance missions, such as exploring the outer solar system and beyond, as well as for in-space transportation and orbit maintenance. Solar sails could also be used for scientific research, as they can reach high speeds without the need for fuel.</p><h2>5. What are the challenges of using solar sails?</h2><p>One of the main challenges of using solar sails is the relatively low amount of force they can generate. This means that it takes longer for a spacecraft to reach high speeds using a solar sail compared to traditional propulsion methods. Additionally, solar sails are highly sensitive to the angle of sunlight and must be constantly adjusted to maintain the desired trajectory. Finally, the deployment and navigation of solar sails require precise and complex engineering, making them a challenging technology to implement.</p>

1. What is a solar sail?

A solar sail is a spacecraft propulsion system that uses the pressure of sunlight to propel the spacecraft forward. It consists of a large, thin, reflective sail made of a lightweight material such as Mylar or aluminum. When sunlight reflects off the sail, it transfers momentum to the spacecraft, causing it to accelerate.

2. How does the poofing effect work?

The poofing effect is a phenomenon that occurs when a solar sail is deployed in space. As the sail is unfurled, it creates a large surface area that reflects sunlight. This reflection creates a force that pushes against the sail, causing it to accelerate. The poofing effect is caused by the pressure of sunlight particles, which are constantly bombarding the sail and transferring their momentum to it.

3. What factors affect the poofing effect?

The poofing effect is affected by several factors, including the size and shape of the sail, the material it is made of, and the distance from the sun. A larger sail will have a greater surface area for sunlight to reflect off of, resulting in a stronger poofing effect. The shape of the sail also plays a role, as a curved sail will reflect sunlight more efficiently than a flat one. The material of the sail must also be lightweight and highly reflective to maximize the poofing effect. Finally, the distance from the sun affects the intensity of sunlight and thus the strength of the poofing effect.

4. What are the potential applications of solar sails?

Solar sails have the potential to revolutionize space travel by providing a highly efficient and renewable source of propulsion. They could be used for long-distance missions, such as exploring the outer solar system and beyond, as well as for in-space transportation and orbit maintenance. Solar sails could also be used for scientific research, as they can reach high speeds without the need for fuel.

5. What are the challenges of using solar sails?

One of the main challenges of using solar sails is the relatively low amount of force they can generate. This means that it takes longer for a spacecraft to reach high speeds using a solar sail compared to traditional propulsion methods. Additionally, solar sails are highly sensitive to the angle of sunlight and must be constantly adjusted to maintain the desired trajectory. Finally, the deployment and navigation of solar sails require precise and complex engineering, making them a challenging technology to implement.

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