The earth receives at its surface radiation from the sun at the rate o...
To calculate the surface temperature of the sun, we can use the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which relates the total power radiated by a black body to its temperature. The law is given by the equation:
P = σ * A * T^4
Where:
P is the power radiated by the black body (in watts)
σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.67 x 10^-8 W/m^2K^4)
A is the surface area of the black body (in square meters)
T is the temperature of the black body (in Kelvin)
In this case, we know the power received by the Earth from the sun's radiation at its surface is 1400 W/m^2. We can assume that the Earth is a perfect absorber and emitter of radiation, so it can be considered a black body. Therefore, the power radiated by the sun can be calculated by multiplying the power received by the Earth by the surface area of the Earth.
- Calculation:
Power radiated by the sun = Power received by the Earth * Surface area of the Earth
The surface area of the Earth can be calculated using the formula for the surface area of a sphere:
Surface area of Earth = 4π * (Radius of Earth)^2
Now, we can substitute the values into the equation and solve for the temperature of the sun:
Power radiated by the sun = σ * Surface area of Earth * T^4
1400 = 5.67 x 10^-8 * (4π * (7.0 x 10^8)^2) * T^4
Rearranging the equation to solve for T:
T = (1400 / (5.67 x 10^-8 * (4π * (7.0 x 10^8)^2)))^(1/4)
Calculating this expression will give us the approximate surface temperature of the sun.
- Calculation:
T ≈ 5800 K
Therefore, the surface temperature of the sun is approximately 5800 K.
The earth receives at its surface radiation from the sun at the rate o...