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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Unphysical consequences of negative absorbed power in linear passive scattering: Implications for radiation force and
Philip L Marston1, Likun Zhang2
1Physics and Astronomy Department, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164-2814, USA.
Abstract:
Contrary to some claims, the absorbed power associated with linear scattering of sound by passive objects in ideal fluids must be non-negative. Such unphysical claims suggest analytical or computational error, or use of an unphysical constitutive relation for material properties. The close connection with the evaluation of acoustic radiation force on targets according to Westervelt's formulation [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 29, 26-29 (1957)], recently generalized to certain acoustic beams, is briefly reviewed along with the theory of acoustic radiation torque on axisymmetric targets with power absorption. Applications to viscous dissipation and to issues pertaining to active targets are also examined.
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