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 · force
Force · approximate
Typical recorded range: 1 × 10⁻⁹ N to 1 N.
A little perspective
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror vs Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt: weight comparison
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror is about 1.04 times photon-pressure thrust per kilowatt.
FORCE
Radiation pressure on a laser mirror is the force exerted by a laser beam as its photons strike and reflect from the mirror.
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
Force: 7 × 10⁻⁶ N; approximate; range 1 × 10⁻⁹ N–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.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked force is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Photon pressure thrust per kilowatt
Force: 6.7 × 10⁻⁶ N; derived calculation.
Idealized radiation-pressure force from reflecting 1 kW of incident light. Real thrust depends on reflectivity and optical losses.
Rounded ideal-reflection calculation, 2P/c for 1 kW; perfect absorption gives half this force.
RP Photonics Encyclopedia — Radiation Pressure
The marked force is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
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Why this measurement?
Why we use 7 × 10⁻⁶ N
We compare radiation pressure on a laser mirror. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty. 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 picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 × 10⁻⁶ N | 1 × 10⁻⁹ N to 1 N | approximate |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valueFundamental physicsPhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt6.7 × 10⁻⁶ NForcePhoton pressure thrust per kilowatt is the force generated when one kilowatt of light is absorbed or reflected, due to photon momentum.Nearest higher valueFundamental physicsRaindrop aerodynamic drag0.0003 NForceRaindrop aerodynamic drag is the force exerted by air resistance on a falling raindrop as it moves through the atmosphere.Sources and method
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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.