The temperature of the Sun is 6000 K.The temperature of Mercury's sunlit side is about 600 K.The Sun's radiation is brightest at a wavelength of about 5000 Angstroms.At what wavelength is Mercury's radiation brightest?
A)500 Angstroms
B)6000 Angstroms
C)50,000 Angstroms
D)540 Angstroms

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Wien's Law, the peak wavelength is inversely proportional to temperature. Since Mercury's temperature is 1/10th of the Sun's, its peak wavelength will be 10 times longer than the Sun's, which is 5000 Angstroms. Thus, Mercury's peak wavelength is about 50,000 Angstroms.

The Temperature of the Sun Is 6000 K