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First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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The Solar Constant, Albedo & Emissivity (DP IB Physics: SL)

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The Solar Constant

  • Since life on Earth is entirely dependant on the Sun’s energy, it is useful to quantify how much of its energy reaches the top of the atmosphere
    • This is known as the solar constant
  • The solar constant is defined as:

The amount of solar radiation across all wavelengths that is incident in one second on one square metre at the mean distance of the Earth from the Sun

  • The value of the solar constant varies year-round because:
    • The Earth’s is in an elliptical orbit around the Sun, meaning at certain times of year the Earth is closer to the Sun, and other times of year it is further away
    • The Sun’s output varies by about 0.1% during its 11-year sunspot cycle
  • Calculations of the solar constant assume that:
    • This radiation is incident on a plane perpendicular to the Earth's surface
    • The Earth is at its mean distance from the Sun

Worked example

The Sun emits 4 × 1026 J in one second. The mean distance of the Earth from the Sun is 1.5 × 1011 m.

Using this data, calculate the solar constant.

Step 1: List the known quantities

    • Power output of Sun, P = 4 × 1026 W
    • Distance between the Earth and Sun, r = 1.5 × 1011 m

Step 2: Model the scenario using geometry

    • As light leaves the surface of the Sun, it begins to spread out uniformly through a spherical shell
    • The surface area of a sphere = 4πr2
    • The radius r of this sphere is equal to the distance between the Sun and the Earth

8-2-3-we-solar-constant_sl-physics-rn

Step 3: Write an equation to calculate the solar constant

Solar constant = fraction numerator P over denominator 4 straight pi r squared end fraction

Step 4: Calculate the solar constant

Solar constant = fraction numerator 4 cross times 10 to the power of 26 over denominator 4 straight pi left parenthesis 1.5 cross times 10 to the power of 11 right parenthesis squared end fraction = 1415 W m–2

Solar constant = 1.4 kW m–2 (2 s.f)

Albedo & Emissivity

Albedo

  • Albedo, a, is defined as

The proportion of light that is reflected by a given surface

  • It can be calculated using the equation

a = fraction numerator total space scattered space power over denominator total space incident space power end fraction

  • More specifically, the albedo of a planet is defined as

The ratio between the total scattered, or reflected, radiation and the total incident radiation of that planet

  • Earth’s albedo is generally taken to be 0.3, which means 30% of the Sun’s rays that reach the ground are reflected, or scattered, back into the atmosphere
  • Earth’s albedo varies daily and depends on:
    • Cloud formations and season – the thicker the cloud cover, the higher the degree of reflection
    • Latitude
    • Terrain – different materials reflect light to different degrees
  • It is useful to know the albedo of common materials: 
    • Fresh asphalt = 0.04
    • Bare soil = 0.17
    • Green grass = 0.25
    • Desert sand = 0.40
    • New concrete = 0.55
    • Ocean ice = 0.50 - 0.70 
    • Fresh snow = 0.85
  • Albedo has no units because it is a ratio (or fraction) of power

8-2-3-ib-sl-rn-albedo

Emissivity

  • Stars are good approximations to a black body, whereas planets are not
    • This can be quantified using the emissivity
  • Emissivity, e, is defined as

The power radiated by a surface divided by the power radiated from a black body of the same surface area and temperature

  • It can be calculated using the equation

e = fraction numerator power space radiated space by space an space object over denominator power space emitted space by space straight a space black space body end fraction

  • Calculations of the emissivity assume that the black body:
    • Is at the same temperature as the object
    • Has the same dimensions as the object
  • For a perfect black body, emissivity is equal to 1
  • When using the Stefan-Boltzmann law for an object which is not a black body, the equation becomes:

P = eσAT4

  • Where:
    • P = total power emitted by the object (W)
    • e = emissivity of the object
    • σ = the Stefan-Boltzmann constant
    • A = total surface area of the object black body (m2)
    • T = absolute temperature of the body (K)

Worked example

The average albedo of fresh snow is 0.85

Calculate the ratio begin mathsize 16px style fraction numerator energy space absorbed space by space fresh space snow over denominator energy space reflected space by space fresh space snow end fraction end style

Step 1: Define albedo 
    • Albedo = the proportion of radiation that is reflected
    • Therefore, the energy reflected by fresh snow = 0.85
Step 2: Identify the proportion of radiation that is absorbed
    • If 85% of the radiation is reflected, we can assume that 15% is absorbed
    • Therefore, the energy absorbed by fresh snow = 1 – 0.85 = 0.15
Step 3: Calculate the ratio

fraction numerator energy space absorbed space by space fresh space snow over denominator energy space reflected space by space fresh space snow end fraction equals fraction numerator 0.15 over denominator 0.85 end fraction equals 0.18

Examiner Tip

You will be expected to remember that a perfect black body has an emissivity of 1 - this information is not included in the data booklet!

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Katie M

Author: Katie M

Expertise: Physics

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.