In: Physics
At the Earth’s orbital distance, the intensity of the solar radiation is approximately 1400 W/m2. What is the value for the intensity at Mercury’s orbital distance, which is 38.7% the distance to the sun that the Earth is.
3800 W/m2
9350 W/m2
540 W/m2
2280 W/m2
Orbital distance of Earth = R1
Solar radiation intensity at Earth's orbital distance = I1 = 1400 W/m2
Orbital distance of Mercury = R2
Solar radiation intensity at Mercury's orbital distance = I2
Mercury's orbital distance is 38.7% of the Earth's orbital distance.
R2 = 0.387R1
Intensity of solar radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
Let 'k' be the constant of proportionality.
I1R12 = k
I2R22 = k
I1R12 = I2R22
(1400)R12 = I2(0.387R1)2
I2 = 9347.7 W/m2
Nearest answer is 9350 W/m2