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How does the amount of radiant energy on Mars compare to that on the Earth? What effect would that have on average temperature?

User Rainey
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Answer:

(a) radiant energy on Mars is about 1/8 that on Earth

(b) the average temperature will be lower

Step-by-step explanation:

(a) The parameters relevant to the amount of radiant energy flux on the planet are ...

diameter (thousand km): Earth: 12.756; Mars: 6.792

distance from sun (million km): Earth: 149.6; Mars: 227.9

The energy hitting the planet will be proportional to the square of the diameter and inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the sun. That is the energy hitting Mars compared to Earth will be ...

(6.792/12.756)²(149.6/227.9)² ≈ 0.122 . . . about 1/8

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(b) The effect on average temperature depends on the energy budget of the planet--the amount of energy reflected and radiated, and the amount internally generated. If sunlight is the only contributor, the average temperature on Mars will be considerably lower than on Earth.

User Anita George
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