Black side of pane radiates heat causing air pressure to build, generating propulsion. In full vacuum no air pressure to enable propulsion, so photon pressure takes over. Photon momentum from light source is reflected from the shiny side, imparting twice the photon momentum onto the pane, causing propulsion. At least, I think...
If there is a near-perfect vacuum, the vanes do not spin unless they are held in a frictionless way. If the vanes have a frictionless support and the vacuum is complete, then photons bouncing off the silver side of the vanes push the vanes, causing them to rotate. However, this force is exceedingly small.
U were an awesome science teacher
So cool
super cool
Black side of pane radiates heat causing air pressure to build, generating propulsion.
In full vacuum no air pressure to enable propulsion, so photon pressure takes over.
Photon momentum from light source is reflected from the shiny side, imparting twice the photon momentum onto the pane, causing propulsion.
At least, I think...
If there is a near-perfect vacuum, the vanes do not spin unless they are held in a frictionless way. If the vanes have a frictionless support and the vacuum is complete, then photons bouncing off the silver side of the vanes push the vanes, causing them to rotate. However, this force is exceedingly small.
Cooling the radiometer causes rotation in the opposite direction. From Wikipedia
Could you possibly explain why this happens, please?
I like the cut of your jib