Light and radiant heat are both forms of electromagnetic radiation. They travel as waves and differ only in wavelength, which is the distance between one wave crest and the next. The suns surface is about 5,700 degrees c (10,300 degrees f), and it radiates energy at numerous wavelengths and in every direction. About 9 percent of energy we receive from the sun is invisible ultraviolet light, 45 percent is visible light, 46 percent is long-wave infrared radiation, which we feel as heat. At the top of the atmosphere, Earth receives about 1,360 watts per square metre of solar energy. This is called the "solar constant". Sunlight is made from light in rainbow colours, which combine to look white. Gas molecules in the air scatter the blue light, but not the others, making the sky blue. As the Sun sets, light passes through a thicker layer of atmosphere with more dust. Now orangey colours are scattered, but not blue.
Next Week.......Pressure and the WeatherThe answer to last weeks question: Water Vapour.This week's question: Temperature of the suns surface is:A/ 5,700 degrees C.B/ 5,600 degrees C.Glossary: Anticyclone is a body of air in which the atmospheric pressure is higher than the pressure in surrounding air. Air is sinking and spilling outwards from its centre. Winds blow clockwise around anticyclones in the Northern Hemisphere and anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather is mainly settled.Weather for coming week Monday 11th February-Friday 15th FebruaryBlocking anticyclone from off the continent into UK fending off any Atlantic Storm Systems over the coming week and weekend.The weather settled, sunny during the first part of week, more cloud later but still with some sunshine. Dry and placid conditions with 5 mph east/south-east airflow.Some mist fog and frost in areas night and into each morning-tide where the cloud breaks.Maximum temperature 12-13c 54-55f early on then 4-6c 39-63f later.Minimum temperature zero to plus 2c 32-36f.Last Week's Observations (Monday-Sunday)Highest day temperature.........13.6c 57f on Saturday 9th February.Lowest night temperature.......minus 3.7c 25f on Sunday 10th February.Wettest day...........................6.5 mm on Monday 4th February.
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