Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsPhotoelectric Effect and Wave–Particle Duality
A small, totally reflecting plane mirror is positioned horizontally to face a parallel beam of light, as shown in the figure. The mirror has a mass of 20 g . Assuming no absorption occurs in the lens and that 30 % of the light emitted by the source passes through the lens, determine the power of the source required to support the weight of the mirror. Take g = 10 m s ⁻² .
Options
- A2.0 10^8 W
- B3.0 10^7 W
- C6.0 10^7 W
- D1.0 10^8 W
Correct answer
D. 1.0 10^8 W
Step-by-step solution
Let P be the power of the source. The power of the light that passes through the lens and is incident on the mirror is P' = 0.30 P . Since the mirror is totally reflecting, the force exerted by the light beam on the mirror is given by the rate of change of momentum of the photons: F = 2P' c = 2(0.30 P) c = 0.60 P c For the light to support the weight of the mirror, this force must be equal to the gravitational force acting on the mirror: F = mg Substituting the given values ( m = 20 g = 0.02 kg , g = 10 m s ⁻² , an