2006-12-01 17:32:45 · 14 answers · asked by WARREN 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
All waves have mass (albeit very small for some waves) and all masses have some associated wavelengths. This is basically De Broglie's equation stating
(Wavelength) x (Momentum) = Planck's constant.
ie (Wavelenth) x (Mass x velocity) = Planck's constant
It has been done at NASA where they use solar sails (large aluminum panels) on space ships to propel them using the electro-magnetic waves of the sun. These EM waves have a great amount of momenta that can propel these space crafts.
Refer to the website given by some of the answers contributed by the other people.
It can be demonstrated on earth using the radiometer. Email me at peterlim@plenrich.com and I will email you a photo of a radiometer in which metal vanes suspended in a vacuum can be propelled by bright light from a 100W bulb.
I will probably send you a video of that demonstration.
2006-12-01 18:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by pete 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Although I am not a physics expert... I recall that light is considered both a particle (having matter/mass) and a wave length.
After doing a quick search on Google, I came across the following article that was published in USA Today about 5 years ago: http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/aaas/2001-05-03-laser-spin.htm. It appears that light can indeed be used to manipulate/move (micron-sized) objects.
Although a micron is very small and an individual could not visualize such movement with one's eyes alone, the future possibilities of harnessing this phenomena are infinite.
2006-12-01 17:53:40 · answer #2 · answered by J D 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Light has a duality of being conidered wave and matter. It all depends on which theory you look to. Some believe that light is only in wave form while believe in light as photons.
You can shoot a concentrated beam of light at an object and eject electrons or subatomic particles from an object though.
2006-12-01 17:41:41 · answer #3 · answered by Johnny Z 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
actually you can move an object with light,or i think its the heat side anyway, try moving the furniture in the dark, then turn on a light and abracadabbraa its easy to move an object with light. now i couldnt resist
anyway, i dont remember what its called, but there is a solar motor. it sits on a pedestal ,the hub is like a thimball. it has sails or blades attached to the hub. 1 side is silver-coated, the other is black. it is inside a vac. tube. the more light, the faster it moves. my gate program had 1, it got broken, and since it no longer worked, i fiddle'd with it, and actually got it to spin outside the vac, but it was probably just my breath on it hahaha.
2006-12-01 17:48:31 · answer #4 · answered by l8ntpianist 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To propel objects, you need momentum. Light has no momentum because the mass of its particles is 0
2006-12-01 17:41:54 · answer #5 · answered by mwat07 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Light is not matter. It can act like matter as in a photon. Light can move object, but it has to be very very light.
2006-12-01 17:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Light is not matter. It is just energy.
However, it has momentum and so can be used in theory for propulsion. This has neer been done in practice (it has been demonstrated in labs though).
Radiometers do NOT rotate because of the momentum of light. If they did, they would go round the other way.
2006-12-01 21:36:13 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is possible. It' s called a solar sail. Though light has no rest mass, it does move pretty quickly- and you need relativity to understand it.
2006-12-01 17:49:46 · answer #8 · answered by Daniel Quilp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Light is not matter. Light is energy. They can be converted to each other, but not easily.
2006-12-01 17:36:44 · answer #9 · answered by Bob h 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because light only goes in reverse and third gear.
2006-12-01 17:40:10 · answer #10 · answered by Dr. Whiggs 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋