A different definition of radiation flux

[shanepitts]

Would anyone have a different explanation and maybe an example of radiation flux? Here is the Wikipedia definition "Radiation flux is a measure of the amount of radiation received by an object from a given source", which is quite clearly explained.

 

[Drakkith]

Is there something you didn't understand about the wikipedia explanation that we can help you with?

 

[shanepitts]

I am not sure. I fathom that, for example, on the amount of radiation we receive from the Sun is the radiation flux. Is this accurate?

 

[Drakkith]

That looks correct to me, though I think the term "radiant flux" is more appropriate for the sun since we usually only care about the EM radiation of the sun: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiant_flux

Radiant flux is only concerned with EM radiation, while radiation flux can refer to any kind of radiation, including particle radiation.

 

[sardar]

I can provide a different perspective on the definition of radiation flux. While the Wikipedia definition is accurate, it only describes the amount of radiation received by an object. Another aspect to consider is the direction of the radiation. Radiation flux can also refer to the rate at which radiation is emitted or transmitted from a source in a specific direction.

For example, in the field of astrophysics, we often measure the radiation flux from stars. This not only tells us how much radiation is being emitted from the star, but also the direction in which it is being emitted. This can provide valuable information about the physical properties of the star and its surrounding environment.

Another example is in the study of heat transfer, where radiation flux is used to describe the transfer of thermal energy through electromagnetic waves. In this case, the direction of the radiation flux is important in determining the rate of heat transfer between two objects.

In summary, while the Wikipedia definition of radiation flux is accurate, there are other aspects to consider such as the direction of the radiation. Therefore, it is important to have a comprehensive understanding of radiation flux in order to fully grasp its significance in various scientific fields.