Question

4. Given a value for Mars’ radius of 3400 km, an albedo of Mars of 0.15, and Mars’ distance from the Sun of 1.52 AU, then:

a. determine the power, Psq.m, of the radiation from the Sun flowing through and area of 1 m2 facing the Sun with the area located at a distance of Mars from the Sun of 0.72 AU.

b. What power, Pabs, is absorbed by Mars?

c. What would mars’ surface temperature, T, be, assuming that Mars radiated into space an amount, Pem , that is equal to the power it absorbed?

d. What is the mean temperature on Mars, how much is it different from the temperature you computed in c) and what is the reason for the difference (if the difference is large)?

Answer 1