Question

Jupiter's heat comes mainly from the gases inside. This heat comes is a thermal radiation of the planet. The average temperature of the planet is about -145oC (128K). At what wavelengths would you observe this thermal radiation from the planet: visible or infrared

a) Ultraviolet
b) Visible
c) Infrared
d) X-ray

Answer 1

Jupiter's thermal radiation, with an average temperature of -145°C (128K), would be primarily observed in the infrared spectrum, as the planet emits most of its energy at these wavelengths.

Step-by-step explanation:

The thermal radiation of Jupiter, which has an average temperature of about -145°C (128K), would be primarily observed in the infrared spectrum. Objects at this temperature do not emit significant amounts of visible light, but rather emit most of their radiation as infrared waves, which are longer in wavelength. Therefore, the correct answer would be c) Infrared. The thermal radiation is due to Jupiter's internal energy source, which consists of primordial heat remaining since the planet's formation 4.5 billion years ago. Additionally, the greenhouse effect plays a role in trapping some of this infrared radiation in planets' atmospheres, further affecting surface and atmospheric temperatures.