Assume that the sun is a sphere of radius 6.96 × 10⁸m and that its surface temperature is 5.8 × 10³ K. If the sun radiates at a rate of 3.90 × 10²⁶ W and is a perfect emitter, at what rate is energy emitted per square meter at the sun's surface? A)5.6 × 10⁷ W/m² B)6.4 × 10⁷ W/m² C)5.6 × 10¹⁷ W/m² D)12.8 × 10⁷ W/m² E)25.6 × 10⁷ W/m²

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The rate at which energy is emitted per square meter at the sun's surface can be calculated using the Stefan-Boltzmann law:

E = σT^4

where E is the energy emitted per square meter per second, σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant (5.67 × 10^-8 W/m^2K^4), and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

Plugging in the given values, we get:

E = (5.67 × 10^-8 W/m^2K^4)(5.8 × 10^6 K)^4
  = 6.4 × 10^7 W/m^2

Therefore, the answer is (B) 6.4 × 10^17 W/m^2.

Assume That the Sun Is a Sphere of Radius 6