Sunlight Intensity: Calculate Total Average Power Output of Sun

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the total average power output of the Sun, the intensity of sunlight reaching Earth's upper atmosphere, approximately 1200 W/m2, is used alongside the correct distance of Earth from the Sun, which is 1.5 x 10^8 km. The surface area of a sphere at this distance is calculated to determine the total power flux. By multiplying the intensity by the surface area, the total power output of the Sun can be derived. Additionally, the discussion touches on how to calculate power flux at different distances from the Sun. Understanding these relationships is crucial for accurate calculations of solar power output.
1ceHacka
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I need help with this problem...

Suppose that the intensity of the sunlight that reaches Earth's upper atmosphere is approximately 1200 W/m2. Earth is about 1.5 times 108 km from the Sun.

What is the total average power output of the Sun, assuming it to be an isotropic source?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Do you have any initial thoughts and/or working?
 
I know that average power is related to the intensity and the surface area.
 
You need to start with the correct distance of the Earth from the sun (definitely not "1.5 times 108km from the Sun"), and that will give you the surface area of a sphere at the Earth's radius from the Sun. Since you are given the power density at that radius, you should be able to calculate the total power flux through the whole sphere at that radius. Given that number, what is the total power flux at other radius values?
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Calculating Intensity of Sunlight Reaching Jupiter
Replies
8
Views
8K
Solar Panels and Solar Radiation Flux Density Help - Very Confused
Replies
35
Views
5K
What is the Power Output of the Sun's Electromagnetic Waves?
Replies
5
Views
7K
Calculating the power output from a persons mouth
Replies
3
Views
2K
Comparing Light Intensity: 100W Bulb to Sunlight
Replies
3
Views
2K
Long distance electrical transmission efficiency
Replies
2
Views
2K
How many crates can you load in a minute with different average power outputs?
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Do You Calculate the Number of Photons from Sunlight on Earth?
Replies
1
Views
4K
Calculating Power at source from Intensity at distance R
Replies
1
Views
4K
How Do You Calculate Race Car Acceleration and Power Output?
Replies
20
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top