Temperature of Asteroid When Sun Emits @ 6000K 350M Km Away

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the temperature of an asteroid when exposed to solar radiation from a sun emitting at 6000K, located 350 million kilometers away. The key equations involved are Stefan-Boltzmann's law for blackbody radiation, specifically P = σT^4 for total power and φ = P/A = σ/(4πd^2)T^4 for radiation flux. The asteroid's temperature will stabilize when it absorbs energy at the same rate it emits, necessitating a precise understanding of these formulas to determine the equilibrium temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of blackbody radiation principles
  • Familiarity with Stefan-Boltzmann law
  • Knowledge of energy flux calculations
  • Basic grasp of thermodynamic equilibrium concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Stefan-Boltzmann law in detail
  • Learn how to calculate luminosity of a blackbody
  • Explore energy absorption and emission rates for celestial bodies
  • Investigate the effects of distance on radiation intensity
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, astrophysicists, and students studying thermal dynamics in space environments will benefit from this discussion.

babtridge
Messages
16
Reaction score
0
If the sun at temperature 6000K emits onto an asteroid 350million km away, what is the temperature of the asteroid assuming it is a black body?

Any suggestions how to go about this please? :confused: :confused:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
babtridge said:
If the sun at temperature 6000K emits onto an asteroid 350million km away, what is the temperature of the asteroid assuming it is a black body?

How much energy does the asteroid receive from the sun per unit time? How hot must it be to radiate this energy away at the same rate?

HINT: You'll need the equations for flux and the luminosity of a blackbody.
 
babtridge said:
If the sun at temperature 6000K emits onto an asteroid 350million km away, what is the temperature of the asteroid assuming it is a black body?
Determine the radiation flux incident on the asteroid using the Stefan's law:

[tex]P = \sigma T^4[/tex] where P is the total power.

[tex]\phi = P/A = \frac{\sigma}{4\pi d^2}T^4[/tex]

The asteroid will absorb this radiation and raise its temperature until it is emitting at the same rate as it is absorbing, at which point its temperature wlll remain constant. The question asks you to find that temperature. It is a little tricky.

AM
 

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K