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IB Physics SL B.2.5 Solar constant S Question Bank

Practise IB Physics SL B.2.5 by defining the solar constant and explaining why its measured value is an approximation.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • Define the solar constant as received solar intensity at mean Earth–Sun distance, using power per unit area.
  • Explain why the value is approximate because solar output, orbit distance and measurement conditions vary.

B.2.5—Solar constant S question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows a simplified energy-balance model for the Earth surface–atmosphere system.

Figure for Question B.2.5—Solar constant S question 1 — IB Physics SL

The following data are given:

 Average albedo of Earth =0.30 Average global temperature of the surface =288 K Average Earth-Sun distance =1.5×1011 m\begin{aligned} \text { Average albedo of Earth } & =0.30 \\ \text { Average global temperature of the surface } & =288 \mathrm{~K} \\ \text { Average Earth-Sun distance } & =1.5 \times 10^{11} \mathrm{~m} \end{aligned}

State what is meant by the solar constant.

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