Question

What is the energy contained in a 1.30 m3 volume near the Earth's surface due to radiant energy from the Sun

Answer 1

Answer:

The energy contained is 5.856 x 10⁻⁶ J

Explanation:

Average energy density of electromagnetic radiation per unit volume is given by the equation;

$U_{avg} = \frac{1}{2} \epsilon _o E_o$²

where;

$\epsilon _o$ is permittivity of free space

$E_o$ is maximum electric field strength, this can be calculated from the intensity of sun reaching the Earth's surface.

$E_o = \sqrt{\frac{2I}{\epsilon_o C} }$

The intensity of sun reaching the Earth is 1350 W/m²

$E_o = \sqrt{\frac{2*1350}{8.885*10^{-12}*3*10^8 } } \\\\E_o = 1008.96 \ V/m$

Average energy density of electromagnetic radiation per unit volume;

$U_{avg} = \frac{1}{2} \epsilon_o E_o^2\\\\U_{avg} = \frac{1}{2} (8.85*10^{-12})(1008.96)^2\\\\U_{avg} = 4.505 *10^{-6} \ J/m^3$

The energy contained in a 1.30 m³ volume is given by;

E = (4.505 x 10⁻⁶)(1.3)

E = 5.856 x 10⁻⁶ J

Therefore, the energy contained is 5.856 x 10⁻⁶ J