How can you calculate the power intercepted by a planet from a distant star?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the power intercepted by a planet from a distant star, one can use Stefan's law to determine the star's total power output, given by P = Stefan's constant * area of a sphere of radius R * temperature T^4. The power intercepted by the planet can be found by considering the flux at the distance d, which is P/(4πd^2). The ratio of the areas involved is crucial; the fraction of power intercepted by the planet is determined by the product of the flux and the area subtended by the planet, calculated as Φ * πr^2. This approach assumes isotropic power distribution from the star. Understanding these calculations allows for a clear assessment of the energy received by the planet.
haki
Messages
161
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I found one very interesting physics problem but I have no idea how to solve it.

Lets say we have a star with radius R and the surface temperature T. Now we wish to know, what is the ratio between the total power output of the star and the power that the distant planet receives from that star. The planet has a radius r and the distance between the center of the objects is d. We idealise the problem and say that both object have e=1.

I know that the trick is in the Stefan's law. I can calculate the power output of the star by

P=Stefan's constant*area of a spheare of radius R*temperature of star T on the 4th power,

now the funny thing is how can you calculate how much of that power is intercepted by the planet?

Any help would be apprichiated.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Got an idea. Maybe the correct way to go is by saying that the ratio

area of a spheare of radius d(distance from the two object) / half the area of the spheare of radius r(radius of the planet) = total output of the sun / power gotten by the planet?
 
Assume the power P of the star is isotropic, i.e. same in all directions.

At the distance R from the star, i.e. the radius of the planet's orbit, the flux, \Phi (power per unit area) = P/(4\piR2).

If the planet has radius r, then the fraction of power intercepted is simply the product of the power and the ratio of the areas, or the product of the flux and area subtended by the planet, i.e.

\Phi * \pi\,r^2
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top