If we build a giant parabolic mirror around the sun just like in headlights of a car?

Question

and direct the beam on Jupiter, will we be able
to evaporate the planet, just like Darth Vader did?

scythian:

I am not greedy and would gladly give
11 (!) points for scientific answer.

Unfortunately yours omits two important issues:
how big should be a mirror to get to those 10000K
what is escape velocity and escape
temperature even for the lightest gas H2

Answer 1

The surface temperature of the sun is approximately 10,000 degrees Farenheit, so that with a parallel beam of solar radiation with a cross section area comparable to the surface of the sun, we would be able generate simliar temperatures at Jupiter. That should be sufficient to cause all the gases of Jupiter to evaporate into space, but not in such a dramatic fashion as in Star Wars. I'm assuming that the sun is at the foci of this parabolic mirror.

Give me my 10 points for offering the only rational unfunny scientific answer.

Addendum: Aw geez, making me work for those 10 points. All right, it turns out that Jupiter's escape velocity is approximately 60,000 m/sec, and in order for even hydrogen atoms to have that average molecular speed, the temperature has to reach well over 100,000 K. In other words, 10,000K just won't do. A parallel beam of radiation from the sun won't achieve the necessary temperature, so focusing has to be employed. What size parabolic mirror is necessary depends on how long one is willing to wait for the gases to boil off the planet of Jupiter. It's not necessary to have a "superlarge mirror" that's many times the size of the sun, with the sun at the foci. An assymetrical reflector can be used to divert and focus a fraction of the sun's radiative output upon a spot in Jupiter's atmosphere, so that a part of its gases would continually leak away.

Addendum: Ahh...you know, I forgot. One cannot "increase" the temperature of the radiative source through basic optics. What a stooge I am. Forget, it's impossible, regardless what size mirror is used. Never mind what I said.

Answer 2

Great question! Doing tricks with the lights and shining them on a huge size such as Jupiter - the gasses would ignite and obviously we get a new second sun - with very warm summers, hot-dogs without the aid of fire!
Jupiter is no entirely GAS! recall the Haley-Bopp comet that hit the planet surface and splatted ! The markings are still visible. The planet is not a gas planet - its a big old haven for meteorites.

Answer 3

Darth Vader evaporated Jupiter? OMGWTFBBQ

Answer 4

Hi. The Sun's entire energy focused on Jupiter, eh? Yes, I believe that would do it. But the reflector (billions of small mirrors) would be in orbit so it would make the Sun look light a flashing light, one flash per orbit. Now THAT should get those curious aliens to thinking!

Answer 5

Vader could just use The Force. The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant compared to the power of The Force.

Seriously, we can't, and no it wouldn't.

Answer 6

That is the signal for the Lizard People to attack, we wouldn't want that.
Plus, the Jupiterians would not like having thier world destroyed.

Answer 7

this from a top contributor?
your bored aren't you.
if we could do what you suggest, what would be the purpose, to prove we could.
it may even destroy the earth.
all the people i know are here.
beside how would you stop the beam
i mean how many planets are you planning on destroying.