Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Photoelectric Effect and Wave–Particle Duality
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Photoelectric Effect and Wave–Particle Duality
A parallel beam of monochromatic light having a wavelength of 663...
A parallel beam of monochromatic light having a wavelength of is incident on a totally reflecting plane mirror. The angle of incidence is 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}, and photons strike the mirror each second. Determine the force exerted by the light beam on the mirror.
Options
- A
- B
- C
- D
Correct answer
B.
Step-by-step solution
The momentum of a single photon is given by .
When a photon strikes a totally reflecting mirror at an angle of incidence , the component of its momentum perpendicular to the mirror is . Upon reflection, this perpendicular component reverses its direction, while the parallel component remains unchanged.
The change in momentum of each photon is:
The force exerted on the mirror is the total change in momentum per second, which is the product of the number of photons striking per second () and the change in momentum of each photon:
Substituting the given values (, , , \theta = 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}):
F = \dfrac{2 \times 1.0 \times 10^{19} \times 6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{663 \times 10^{-9}} \times \cos 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}
When a photon strikes a totally reflecting mirror at an angle of incidence , the component of its momentum perpendicular to the mirror is . Upon reflection, this perpendicular component reverses its direction, while the parallel component remains unchanged.
The change in momentum of each photon is:
The force exerted on the mirror is the total change in momentum per second, which is the product of the number of photons striking per second () and the change in momentum of each photon:
Substituting the given values (, , , \theta = 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}):
F = \dfrac{2 \times 1.0 \times 10^{19} \times 6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{663 \times 10^{-9}} \times \cos 60^{}^{{}^{\circ}}