Solar radiation emitted by the Sun encompasses a wide range of wavelengths, primarily in the form of electromagnetic radiation. This spectrum includes:
- Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: Ranges from about 10 nm to 400 nm.
- Visible Light: Ranges from about 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red).
- 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.
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