Neptune is about 1.5 times as far from the Sun as is Uranus, and it is about the same size. About how much radiant energy does Neptune receive from the Sun, compared to Uranus?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The amount of radiant energy received by a planet from the Sun decreases with the square of the distance from the Sun. Since Neptune is about 1.5 times farther from the Sun than Uranus, the energy it receives is (1/1.5)^2 = 1/2.25, which is approximately 44% of the energy Uranus receives.

Neptune Is About 1