- #1
tomelwood
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Homework Statement
I am try to understand how the value of 1370 watts per metre squared for the intensity of sunlight hitting the Earth has been derived. Is there a way to see this mathematically?
Homework Equations
I understand about how the intensity is related to Poyntings vector, by taking it's average over the wavelength (ie multiplying it by 0.5) but I don't see how this has anything to do with the radius of the orbit.
The Attempt at a Solution
The equation for I is 0.5*c*ε_0 * E^2_0 where E_0 is the amplitude of the Electric part of the EM wave, and ε_0 is the permitivity of free space 8.85*10^-12.
How do I calculate the E_0 value? And does that vary with radius? I can't imagine that it does, so I'm back to square 1! I'm trying to calculate the radiation pressure on a surface at differing distances from the sun, so knowing how and why the intensity changes would be greatly helpful
Any help would be greatly appreciated.