Roberto577 Posted September 1, 2016 Report Share Posted September 1, 2016 Hello, I am a student at a California High School, and I am curious as to how the Sun's surface temperature is nearly 5800 K and yet the Earth is not nearly that hot. I know that some must be lost in the atmosphere, but some has to be lost in space too, right? I'm curious as to how it's lost in a vacuum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cascabel Posted September 1, 2016 Report Share Posted September 1, 2016 Well, the energy would spread out so if the distance from the sun doubles the energy intensity is only a quarter. The same reason a candle illuminates the immediate area more brightly than further away. The energy is not lost, it just spreads out. CraigD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberto577 Posted September 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 1, 2016 Thanks I think I understand. pzkpfw 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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