Radiation pressure on a laser mirror
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror is the force exerted by a laser beam as its photons strike and reflect from the mirror.
How big is it?
7 × 10⁻⁶ N of force
Force · approximate
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁹ N to 1 N.
A little perspective
About the same scale as Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt.
Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt: Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror
A curated radiation pressure on a laser mirror comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked force is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt
A curated photon pressure thrust per kilowatt comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked force is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 7 × 10⁻⁶ N
For comparison, this page uses force. This is labelled approximate; the central value is useful for comparison, while real values or measurement solutions can vary. The recorded range is 1 × 10⁻⁹ N to 1 N.
A curated radiation pressure on a laser mirror comparison anchor. The representative value and any stated range preserve the backlog measurement convention; operating or experimental conditions can change real observations.
The identifying illustration and the numerical comparison remain separate. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 × 10⁻⁶ N | 1 × 10⁻⁹ N to 1 N | approximate |
Around this scale
Go smaller. Go bigger.
These links use compatible weight records, ordered around the selected value.
Nearest lower value · Fundamental physicsPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt6.7 × 10⁻⁶ NPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.Nearest higher value · Fundamental physicsRaindrop aerodynamic drag0.0003 NRaindrop aerodynamic drag is the force exerted by air resistance on a falling raindrop as it moves through the atmosphere.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
Fundamental physicsPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt6.7 × 10⁻⁶ NPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.Fundamental physicsSnowflake aerodynamic drag1 × 10⁻⁶ NSnowflake aerodynamic drag is the resistive force experienced by a falling snowflake as it moves through air.
GravityGravitational attraction between two people one metre apart3 × 10⁻⁷ NThis is the gravitational force that two people exert on each other when separated by one metre.Fundamental physicsRaindrop aerodynamic drag0.0003 NRaindrop aerodynamic drag is the force exerted by air resistance on a falling raindrop as it moves through the atmosphere.GravityEarth-Moon L1 tidal acceleration over one kilometre8.03 × 10⁻⁸ NEarth-Moon L1 tidal acceleration over one kilometre is the difference in gravitational pull experienced across a one-kilometre distance near the Earth-Moon L1 point.Fundamental physicsSoap film pull on a wire0.006 NSoap film pull on a wire is the force created by the surface tension of a soap film stretched across a wire frame.GravityBinary-star planet tidal acceleration0.01 NBinary-star planet tidal acceleration is the difference in gravitational pull experienced across a planet due to the influence of two stars.GravityParabolic-flight microgravity arc0.02 NA parabolic-flight microgravity arc is a flight manoeuvre that creates short periods of near-weightlessness for people and experiments inside an aircraft.