The Solar Constant Is The Intensity Of The Sun S Radiation At

The sun is considered to produces a constant amount of energy.

The solar constant is the intensity of the sun s radiation at.

A 4 points given that the sun is about 1 5 x 10m from the earth estimate the power of electromagnetic radiation output by the sun. The intensity of the sun varies along with the 11 year sunspot cycle. It is measured by satellite as being 1 361 kilo watts per square meter kw m at solar minimum the time in the 11 year solar cycle when the number of sunspots is minimal and approximately 0 1 greater roughly 1 362 kw m at solar maximum. The solar constant is the average intensity of electromagnetic radiation from the sun.

When sunspots are scarce the value is low about 1365 w m 2. The solar constant can fluctuate by 0 1 over days and weeks as sunspots grow and dissipate. Eleven years isn t the only beat however. At the surface of the sun the intensity of the solar radiation is about 6 33 10 7 w m 2 note that this is a power in watts per unit area in meters.

The solar constant includes all types of solar radiation and not just the visible light.