If the temperature near the center of a particular sunspot is 4350 K and the temperature of the surrounding photosphere is 5800 K, then the energy flux (energy passing through each m²/s) from the center of the sunspot is what fraction of the energy flux from the surrounding photosphere?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy flux (F) from the center of the sunspot can be calculated using the Stefan-Boltzmann law: F=σT^4, where σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin. Thus, the energy flux from the center of the sunspot is (5.67*10^-8)*(4350^4) = 5.27*10^7 W/m^2. Similarly, the energy flux from the surrounding photosphere is (5.67*10^-8)*(5800^4) = 6.32*10^7 W/m^2. Therefore, the fraction of the energy flux from the center of the sunspot compared to the surrounding photosphere is (5.27*10^7)/(6.32*10^7) = 0.83, which is approximately 32%. The correct answer is D.

If the Temperature near the Center of a Particular Sunspot