The intensity of solar radiation reaching the Earth is 1,340 W/m². If the sun has a radius of 7.000 × 10⁸ m, is a perfect radiator and is located 1.500 × 10¹¹ m from the Earth, then what is the temperature of the sun?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The temperature of the sun can be calculated using the Stefan-Boltzmann law and the inverse square law for radiation. Given the intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth and the distance from the sun to Earth, we can find the power emitted per unit area by the sun, and then use the Stefan-Boltzmann law to find the temperature. The correct calculation leads to a temperature close to 5,740 K, which is the effective temperature of the sun's surface.

The Intensity of Solar Radiation Reaching the Earth Is 1,340