2020-06-19, 15:18
Atomic physics: Radiation pressure with recoil
Light exerts a certain amount of pressure onto a body: sun sails could thus power space probes in the future. However, when light particles (photons) hit an individual molecule and knock out an electron, the molecule flies toward the light source. Atomic physicists have now observed this for the first time, confirming a 90-year-old theory.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20...140846.htm
Light exerts a certain amount of pressure onto a body: sun sails could thus power space probes in the future. However, when light particles (photons) hit an individual molecule and knock out an electron, the molecule flies toward the light source. Atomic physicists have now observed this for the first time, confirming a 90-year-old theory.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20...140846.htm