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

Sophie WILLETT

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.


Keywords


Physics; Light; Mechanics; Power-Energy

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References


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