Calculate the pressure exerted by electromagnetic radiation on a surface.
Last updated: March 2026 | By ForgeCalc Engineering
Solar Constant ≈ 1361 W/m²
0 = Black body, 1 = Perfect mirror
Radiation pressure is the pressure exerted upon any surface exposed to electromagnetic radiation. It results from the momentum transfer from photons as they strike or are reflected by a surface.
Although extremely small in everyday life, radiation pressure is significant in astrophysics (e.g., the shape of comet tails) and is the fundamental principle behind solar sails, which use sunlight for spacecraft propulsion.
When a photon is absorbed, it transfers its momentum once. When it is reflected, it must be stopped and then pushed back, transferring twice the momentum.
No. Solar wind consists of charged particles (protons/electrons), while radiation pressure is caused by photons (light).
It is roughly 4.5 to 9 micro-Pascals. For comparison, atmospheric pressure is about 101,325,000,000 micro-Pascals.
They are large, thin, highly reflective sheets that use radiation pressure from the sun to propel spacecraft without carrying any fuel.
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