Which of the following exert the largest amount of radiation pressure?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Radiation pressure is defined as the pressure exerted on an object due to the reflection, absorption, or emission of radiation. The pressure is directly proportional to the intensity of the radiation (power per unit area). Therefore, the option with the highest intensity/power per unit area will exert the largest radiation pressure. In this case, option A has the highest intensity because even though it is the lowest power, it is focused on a very small spot. The other options spread the same power over a larger area, resulting in a lower intensity and thus a lower radiation pressure.

Which of the Following Exert the Largest Amount of Radiation