40a 9d5 966 bcd eac 878 9de bce 3e6 8cc bb0 94f de1 3c8 62a 8e1 6a3 004 777 921 b16 789 b26 88e 3da 425 b25 796 ef8 493 f65 a45 711 4f4 7e3 db7 f90 74a a75 326 d35 3e6 89c c9e 746 2df a7d 830 f1c eea 5fc 877 bf1 d64 420 e22 059 147 0a7 8f6 fb6 871 f31 63e 9c4 1b1 b65 187 31c c12 76e 2d3 67d 318 822 b58 98a da9 df4 e3c d68 849 5c8 a93 d94 54a 19b 58f 2a0 7e5 751 07c c9c 865 76a 020 089 573 db2 66b
This follows directly from the electromagnetic energy spectrum and the respective temperatures of the Sun and Earth. The Sun emits radiation at a shorter wavelength than the Earth because it has a higher temperature, and Planck's curve for higher temperatures peaks at shorter wavelengths.
Does the sun or Earth emit more radiation?
The sun, T=6000�K, emits vastly more energy than the earth at T=300�K. The wavelength of maximum energy radiated by a body is given by Wien's displacement law: Lambda = A / T.
Does the Earth emit less radiation than the sun?
When it reaches the Earth, some is reflected back to space by clouds, some is absorbed by the atmosphere, and some is absorbed at the Earth's surface. However, since the Earth is much cooler than the Sun, its radiating energy is much weaker (long wavelength) infrared energy.
How does the radiation emitted from the Earth differ from that emitted by the sun?
The Earth emits mostly longer wavelength infrared radiation that we cannot see. Sunlight made up of visible light passes through the atmosphere on the way into Earth, but the greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere absorb infrared radiation going out to space.
Why does the sun emit so much energy?
The sun generates energy from a process called nuclear fusion. During nuclear fusion, the high pressure and temperature in the sun's core cause nuclei to separate from their electrons. Hydrogen nuclei fuse to form one helium atom. During the fusion process, radiant energy is released.
Does Earth emit radiation?
Once in the Earth's atmosphere, clouds and the surface absorb the solar energy. The ground heats up and re-emits energy as longwave radiation in the form of infrared rays. Earth emits longwave radiation because Earth is cooler than the sun and has less energy available to give off.
What type of radiation does the Sun emit?
All of the energy from the Sun that reaches the Earth arrives as solar radiation, part of a large collection of energy called the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Solar radiation includes visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. Radiation is one way to transfer heat.
Why does the Earth emit infrared radiation?
Just as sunlight warms you, it warms the surface of the Earth as well. The Earth does not continue to get hotter and hotter as it absorbs energy from the sun, because it gives off energy to space as invisible infrared radiation.
What type of radiation does the sun emit?
All of the energy from the Sun that reaches the Earth arrives as solar radiation, part of a large collection of energy called the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. Solar radiation includes visible light, ultraviolet light, infrared, radio waves, X-rays, and gamma rays. Radiation is one way to transfer heat.
Why does the Sun emit mostly infrared waves and visible light and Earth emits infrared waves?
Earth scientists study infrared as the thermal emission (or heat) from our planet. As incident solar radiation hits Earth, some of this energy is absorbed by the atmosphere and the surface, thereby warming the planet. This heat is emitted from Earth in the form of infrared radiation.
