What is the magnitude of force exerted on Venus by solar radiation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the magnitude of force exerted on Venus by solar radiation, considering the absorption of photons from the Sun. The subject area includes concepts from physics related to radiation pressure and momentum transfer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the force by considering the number of photons absorbed by Venus and their momentum. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the absorption of photons and suggest using the ratio of cross-sectional areas to account for the effective area that Venus presents to the Sun.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different interpretations of how to calculate the force, with some providing guidance on the correct ratios to use. There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions regarding the geometry of the problem and the relevant areas involved.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the need for dimensionless ratios in the calculations, and participants are clarifying the geometric relationships between Venus and its orbit around the Sun.

cwatki14
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If Venus (of radius R = 6050 km) absorbed all photons incident on it from the Sun, what magnitude of force would the solar radiation exert on Venus? Assume the effective wavelength of solar radiation is 550 nm and the solar luminosity is 3.78 x 1026 W.

I know that Nhc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]=L
where N is the number of photons being emitted and L is the luminosity.
I also know F=Ndp/dt. where p is the momentum. p=h/[tex]\lambda[/tex]
where h is Planck's constant.

Basically I solved for N using the first equations, but since Venus is smaller than the sun, it won't absorb all the photons the sun emits, only some. So I took the ratio between the radius of venus and the sun and multiplied it by n to get the percent of the photons incident to venus.
I think used the wavelength they gave me to calculate p. Finally I took N(incident)xp=F. This however was wrong... Any ideas?
 
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No - you need the ratio between the cross section area of Venus and the area of a sphere of the radius of Venus's orbit. Think what a microscopic percentage of the Sun's 'sky' is filled by Venus.
 
so ill take (pi r^2)/(4/3 pi r^3)? where r is the radius of venus?
 
No you need areas on both sides , the result must be dimensionless.
Think of the disc of venus as seen from the sun - it's (cross section) area is = pi r_venus^2
Then the whole sky as seen by the sun at that distance is the surface area of a sphere = 4 pi r_orbit^2

So the ratio is = r_venus^2 / 4 * r_orbit^2

where r_venus is the radius of venus and r_orbit is the radius of venus's orbit around the sun
 

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