Säteilyvoimasta

Säteilyvoimasta refers to the force exerted by electromagnetic radiation. When light or other forms of radiation, such as radio waves or X-rays, strike a surface, they impart momentum. This momentum transfer results in a force, albeit typically very small, on the object absorbing or reflecting the radiation. The magnitude of this force depends on the intensity of the radiation and the properties of the surface, such as its reflectivity.

This phenomenon is a direct consequence of the wave-particle duality of light, where photons carry momentum. While the pressure exerted by sunlight on Earth's atmosphere is negligible, it plays a significant role in astronomical contexts. For example, radiation pressure is a key factor in the behavior of comets, pushing dust and gas away from their nuclei, and it influences the dynamics of nebulae and the evolution of stars. In technological applications, radiation pressure is utilized in devices like optical tweezers, which use focused laser beams to trap and manipulate microscopic particles. The concept is also fundamental to understanding phenomena like the solar sail, a proposed propulsion system for spacecraft that would harness the momentum of sunlight to generate thrust.