Physics (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1118486897
ISBN 13: 978-1-11848-689-4

Chapter 29 - Particles and Waves - Problems - Page 841: 4

Answer

number of photons per second per square meter that reach earth will be $2.495688\times10^{21}$.

Work Step by Step

Intensity of light is given as $I= 680W/m^2=680J/(s.m^2)$ it means there is incident energy of $E=680 J$ per second per square meter .........statement(1) Given that all photon are of wavelength $\lambda=730nm=730\times10^{-9}m=7.3\times10^{-7}m$ From Planks hypothesis $E=\frac{hc}{\lambda}$ putting $h=6.63\times10^{-34}J.s$, $\lambda=7.3\times10^{-7}m$,, $c=3\times10^{8}m/s$ so Energy of one photon $E=\frac{hc}{\lambda}=\frac{6.63\times10^{-34}J.s\times3\times10^{8}m/s}{7.3\times10^{-7}m}=2.7247\times10^{-19}J$ Now since $2.7247\times10^{-19}J$ is equal to $1$ photon $1J$ will be equal to $\frac{1}{2.7247\times10^{-19}}$photons so $680J$ is equal to $\frac{680}{2.7247\times10^{-19}}$photons=$249.5688\times10^{19}$ photons or $680J$ is equal to $2.495688\times10^{21}$ photons Now statement (1) can be written as number of photons per second per square meter that reach earth will be $2.495688\times10^{21}$.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.