# Physics question

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• April 29th 2008, 03:57 AM
Coach
Physics question
How can I calculate the intensity of radiation of the Sun at Earth(at the same distance as the Earth is at). The intenisity of radiation at the Sun is about 64MW/m2. I mean the radiation spreads around so how can I know which portion comes to the Earth?

All help is appreciated.
• April 29th 2008, 04:28 AM
Danshader
well saying that the radiation from the sun all travels at the same speed
, this radiation will cover a spherical shape of area.(just like blowing a balloon)

now the distance of the earth to the sun is about $1.5x10^{11}m$
this means you need to find the surface area of a sphere with a radius of $1.5x10^{11}m$, then you need to find the area of intersection between the sphere and the earth(assume to be in the middle of the earth)

surface area of the sphere:
$<br /> A_1 = 4\pi r_{ES}^2<br />$
where $r_{ES} ^2$ is the radius of the earth and has the value of $1.5x10^{11}$

hence the area of intersection is:
$<br /> A_2 = \pi r _E ^2<br />$

where $r_E ^2$ is the radius of the earth and has the value of $6.4x10^6$. The area of intersection is can be assumed as a circle since the distance of the earth from the sun is very much larger tahn the radius of the earth.

hence the fraction of radiation received by earth is
$\frac{A_2}{A_1}$
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