Universe: Stars And Galaxies
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
6th Edition
ISBN: 9781319115098
Author: Roger Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
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Chapter 16, Problem 1Q
To determine

The meaning of the luminosity of the Sun.

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Introduction:

The Sun is the largest and the only star in our solar system. It is composed of gases majorly Hydrogen and Helium. The radius of the sun is 695500 km and its surface temperature is 5800 K. The luminosity of the Sun is 3.828×1026 W.

The total energy released per unit time by the Sun is known as luminosity of the Sun. The SI unit of luminosity is Watts or Joules per second. The luminosity of the Sun is 3.828×1026 W which is also written as 1L (1 solar luminosity). The luminosity of other stars and galaxies is referred in terms of solar luminosity. For example, the luminosity of the brightest star in our sky, Sirius is 25.4L. This means, Sirius radiates 25.4 times the totalenergy emitted per unit time. Luminosity depends on the size and temperature of the object.

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What is the Sun's energy output (luminosity)? Group of answer choices About 4 x 1026 Watts About a billion Watts About a million Watts About a kilowatt.
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