How much power would be required to push someone backwards using light?

Authors

  • Sophie WILLETT University of Leicester

Keywords:

Physics, Light, Mechanics, Power-Energy

Abstract

This paper calculates the power required to knock the average woman backwards by 1 m in 1 second using light. The power was calculated to be 4.62x1033 Watts assuming there is negligible friction between the woman and the ground. The force to do so was initially calculated and then the intensity and required power was then determined. The amount of power required is 12x106 times greater than that provided by the Sun and so the temperature increase would be unbearable and unrealistic.

References

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First in Architecture (n.d.) Average Male and Female Dimensions / Heights, http://www.firstinarchitecture.co.uk/average-male-and-female-dimensions/ [Accessed 20th February 2018]

NASA (2017) Our Sun: By the numbers, https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/solar-system/sun/by-the-numbers/ [Accessed 20th February 2018]

NASA (2009) Measuring the Distance, https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/k-4/features/F_Measuring_the_Distance_Student_Pages.html [Accessed 3rd March 2018]

Institute of Agriculture, University of Tennessee, (n.d.) The Sun’ Energy, https://ag.tennessee.edu/solar/Pages/What%20Is%20Solar%20Energy/Sun%27s%20Energy.aspx [Accessed 20th February 2018]

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Published

23.03.2018

How to Cite

WILLETT, S. (2018). How much power would be required to push someone backwards using light?. Journal of Interdisciplinary Science Topics, 7. Retrieved from https://journals.le.ac.uk/index.php/jist/article/view/2692

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Section

Articles