One possible means of achieving space flight is to place a perfectly reflecting aluminized sheet into Earth ‘s orbit and to use the light from the…

One possible means of achieving space flight is to place a perfectly reflecting aluminized sheet into Earth ‘s orbit and to use the light from the Sun to push this solar sail. Suppose such a sail, of area 6.80 104 m2 and mass 6100 kg, is placed in orbit facing the Sun. Ignore all gravitational effects, and assume a solar intensity of 1340 W/m2. (Hint: The radiation pressure by a reflected wave is given by 2 (average power per area)/c.)

(a) How long does it take for this sail to reach the Moon, 3.84 ✕ 108 m away?