The intensity of solar radiation reaching the Earth is 1,340 W/m² when the temperature of the Sun is 5,800 K. If the temperature of the Sun decreased by 10.0%, then what would be the intensity of solar radiation reaching the Earth?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The intensity of solar radiation reaching Earth can be modeled by the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which states that the radiant heat energy emitted from a surface is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. A 10% decrease in the Sun's temperature (from 5800 K to 5220 K, which is 90% of 5800 K) would result in a decrease in intensity by a factor of (0.9)^4 = 0.6561. Multiplying the original intensity (1340 W/m^2) by this factor gives approximately 879 W/m^2.

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