Question
Solar radiation given off by the Sun travels as these wavelengths, at the speed of light
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Solar radiation emitted by the Sun encompasses a wide range of wavelengths, primarily in the form of electromagnetic radiation. This spectrum includes:
1. **Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation**: Ranges from about 10 nm to 400 nm.
2. **Visible Light**: Ranges from about 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red).
3. **Infrared (IR) Radiation**: Ranges from about 700 nm to 1 mm.
The speed of light in a vacuum, where these wavelengths propagate, is approximately \( 299,792 \) kilometers per second (or about \( 186,282 \) miles per second).
Together, these wavelengths comprise a significant portion of the Sun's total energy output, with visible light making up about 42% of the solar energy that reaches the Earth, while UV and IR comprise about 8% and 49%, respectively. This energy drives various processes on Earth, including photosynthesis and climate dynamics.
1. **Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation**: Ranges from about 10 nm to 400 nm.
2. **Visible Light**: Ranges from about 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red).
3. **Infrared (IR) Radiation**: Ranges from about 700 nm to 1 mm.
The speed of light in a vacuum, where these wavelengths propagate, is approximately \( 299,792 \) kilometers per second (or about \( 186,282 \) miles per second).
Together, these wavelengths comprise a significant portion of the Sun's total energy output, with visible light making up about 42% of the solar energy that reaches the Earth, while UV and IR comprise about 8% and 49%, respectively. This energy drives various processes on Earth, including photosynthesis and climate dynamics.