- #1
jaksa
- 5
- 3
- Homework Statement
- In one proposed means of space propulsion, a thin sheet of highly reflecting plastic film would be used as a radiation pressure "sail". A plane square sheet
is available, and the mass of the spaceship is . If the spaceship initially travels in a circular orbit of 1AU radius about the Sun. Find at what rate the orbit radius will grow.
- Relevant Equations
- N/A
In order to change the radius, additional energy is required, the total energy of mass m on a circular orbit is given by:
The change in energy between orbits and is:
For , this will give me the equation as:
Solving this equation for gives me this:
where .
the rate:
The answer to this problem is but I don't get such answer, even when I try for .
Is my reasoning for this problem correct or should I aim for different approach?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
The change in energy between orbits
For
Solving this equation for
where
the rate:
The answer to this problem is
Is my reasoning for this problem correct or should I aim for different approach?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Last edited: