0
Why does only a tiny fraction fraction of the total energy released by the sun reaches earth?
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
The sun radiates in all directions, towards the earth, away from the earth, at right angles to the earth and so on. It radiates roughly equally in all these directions.
Suppose you could draw a sphere with the sun as its centre and radius = average distance between the earth and the sun (1 astronomical unit). Then the amount of incident energy is proportional to the area of cross section of the earth relative to the surface area of the sphere.
Now, mean earth-sun distance = 1 AU = 149,597,871 km
So surface area of sphere = 4*pi*r2 = 2.813*1017 km2
Radius of earth = 6371 km
Cross-sectional area of earth = 1.275*108 km2
So the earth occupies 1.275*108 /2.813*1017 of the surface area of the sphere and therefore receives 1.275*108 /2.813*1017 of the sun's energy output.
= 4.5*10-10 or approximately one half of one billionths.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What is the fraction of kids on earth?
Since there are no kids in space, I suggest 100%.
How much of earth is covered in water in a fraction?
It is approx 7/10.
What if your weight on the moon would be what fraction of your weight on the earth?
one forth by jaden
What fraction of earth's history have human-like animals existed show work?
59%
What fraction of the earth is covered with water 141234?
It is approx 7/10: nothing at like 141234!
What percentage of the energy radiated by the sun reaches earthes surface?
Of the Sun's energy reaching Earth's atmosphere, just under 60% reaches the Earth's surface. Only a small fraction of the Sun's energy reaches Earth, of course. In fact it's only about 0.000000045 percent. So, the answer to the question is: about 0.000000025 percent.
How radiant energy reaches the earth?
It reaches earth as an electromagnetic wave.
What is one energy the reaches earth from the sun?
The energy that reaches the Earth from the sun is known as sunlight.
The suns energy reaches the earth as what type of energy?
radiant
When energy from the sun reaches earth it is not?
absorbed by earth's core
What form does suns energy have when it reaches earth?
The Sun's energy is given out mainly as "electromagnetic radiation". Light is a form of electromagnetic radiation. Heat is the main form the Sun's energy has when it reaches Earth, particularly the Earth's surface.
What is the main source of energy that reaches earth?
The Sun
What does the sun have to do with earth's energy budget?
Nearly all of the energy that reaches Earth's surface comes from the sun.
Why do tornadoes comes in the Earth?
Tornadoes come from the energy released in a thunderstorm. As powerful as they are, tornadoes account for only a tiny fraction of the energy in a thunderstorm.
How much of the Sun's energy reaches the earth and why?
half a billionth
How does energy that reaches the earth from the sun travel?
It is done by radiation.
Which of the is the main source of energy that reaches earth?
Solar radiation.
