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The earth receives about 1300 W/m² radiation energy from the sun per second per unit area. Find the maximum amplitude of the electric field and magnetic field vectors of the sun at the surface of the earth.

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Final answer:

The electric and magnetic fields of sunlight can be calculated using the relations between intensity, electric field amplitude, and the speed of light. Given the intensity of solar radiation, these fields can be determined using the permittivity of free space and the speed of light constants.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about finding the maximum amplitude of the electric and magnetic fields of sunlight at the Earth's surface, given that the Earth receives about 1300 W/m² of solar radiation energy. To find these amplitudes, we use the relation between intensity (I), the amplitude of the electric field (E), and the speed of light (c), which is I = ½ε0cE², where ε0 is the permittivity of free space. For the magnetic field (B), we use the relation B = E/c.

Given:
Intensity (I) = 1300 W/m²,
Speed of light (c) = 3×10¸ m/s,
Permittivity of free space (ε0) = 8.85×10¹² F/m.

By rearranging the formula for I, we can express E as E = √(2I/ε0c) and calculate its value. Similarly, B can be found by B = E/c once we have the amplitude of E.

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