Question

Show that the equilibrium temperature of the surface of the moon is 273 K assuming it has an albedo of 0.08.

Answer 1

The equilibrium temperature of the surface of the moon can be found by the formula as follows:

`T=((K_s(1-alebdo))/(4 \sigma))^{(1)/(4)}`

Where
`K_s = 1366 W/m^2` is the solar constant and
`\sigma = 5.67 * 10^ {-8}W/m^2K^(-4)` is the Stefan's Boltzmann constant.

`T=(\frac{1366(1-0.08)}{4* 5.67 * 10^ {-8}})^{(1)/(4)} = (55.41* 10^8)^{(1)/(4)} = 272.7 K=273 K`

Thus, the equilibrium temperature of the surface of the moon is 273 K.