What method uses the force exerted by light hitting a sail to propel an object in space?

The method that utilizes the force exerted by light on a sail to propel an object in space is solar sailing. This innovative propulsion technique relies on the momentum transfer from photons—light particles—when they strike a specially designed reflective sail. As light from the sun or other stars reflects off the sail, it creates a force that pushes the spacecraft forward, allowing it to gradually gain speed in the vacuum of space without the need for conventional fuel.

Solar sailing takes advantage of the fact that light, although it has no mass, carries momentum. The larger the sail, the more photons it can catch, and consequently, the more force it can generate, making it an efficient method of propulsion for long-duration space missions. This technology has the potential to enable spacecraft to travel vast distances by harnessing solar energy, which is a renewable resource in space.

The other methods listed do not relate to the propulsion mechanism described. Aerodynamics pertains to the behavior of air and how it interacts with solid objects, which is not applicable in the vacuum of space. Gravitational slingshots involve using the gravitational field of a planet to gain speed and change direction, while thermal propulsion relies on the expansion of heated gases to create thrust. Each of these definitions highlights why they