Question

(9) Suddenly, asteroids hit Earth, increasing its radius by a factor of 1.5. At the same time, low fuel levels cause the sun’s intensity to lower to 5 x 107 W/m2. What is Earth’s new solar flux constant? (10) Assume the Earth is a greybody with no atmosphere. Derive an expression for the surface temperature of the Earth T in terms of Earth’s emissivity p, albedo a, solar flux constant K, and the Stefan-Boltzmann constant σ. Assume that no energy is lost.

Answer 1

Answer:

Asteroids

Asteroids are rocky fragments left over from the formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Most asteroids orbit the sun in a belt between Mars and Jupiter. Scientists think there are probably millions of asteroids, ranging widely in size from hundreds of kilometers across to less than one kilometer (a little more than one-half mile) wide.

Occasionally, asteroids' orbital paths are influenced by the gravitational tug of planets, which cause their paths to alter. Scientists believe stray asteroids or fragments from earlier collisions have slammed into Earth in the past, playing a major role in the evolution of our planet.