Radiation Pressure (Noun)
Meaning
The minute pressure exerted on a surface normal to the direction of propagation of a wave.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural phenomena.
Examples
- The solar sail uses the radiation pressure of sunlight to propel it through space.
- According to Maxwell's equations, an electromagnetic wave exerts radiation pressure on any surface that reflects or absorbs it.
- The mirrors in a laser cavity are carefully designed to withstand the intense radiation pressure generated by the amplified light.
- The tiny radiation pressure exerted by a radio wave is usually negligible compared to other forces acting on the antenna.
- Scientists have calculated that the radiation pressure of cosmic microwave background radiation is about 4.4 × 10^-14 N/m².