Which of the following best describes why the Sun emits most of its energy in the form of visible light?
A) Like all objects, the Sun emits thermal radiation with a spectrum that depends on its temperature, and the Sun's surface temperature is just right for emitting mostly visible light.
B) Nuclear fusion in the Sun's core produces visible light photons.
C) The visible light comes from energy level transitions as electrons in the Sun's hydrogen atoms jump between level 1 and level 2.
D) The Sun's gas is on fire like flames from wood or coal, and these flames emit visible light.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Sun emits thermal radiation in a spectrum that depends on its temperature, and because the Sun's surface temperature is around 5,500 degrees Celsius, it emits mostly visible light. This is known as blackbody radiation, and the peak of the emitted radiation spectrum depends on the temperature of the object.

Which of the Following Best Describes Why the Sun Emits