evanheit
THE SUN
This is a picture of the sun. Taken at UNCW at around 2 PM. The sun is approximately 93 million miles away from the Earth, and although its distance from the Earth is tremendous, it plays the most vital role for most all life. The sun at 5800¬⁰C emits photons at a short wavelength, sending visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared rays primarily. The sun emits about 1361 W/m2 outward constantly and the Earth revives around 51% of the energy it receives, with the rest being absorbed by clouds and the atmosphere or being reflected into space. This energy drives the most basic primary producers who undergo photosynthesis. The primary producers have multiple pigments in chlorophyll A, B, and beta carotene, and each pigment absorbs a different respective wavelength. Chlorophyll A absorbs wavelengths of light primarily at 430 and 664 nm, Chlorophyll B absorbs light primarily at 460 and 647 nm, and beta carotene primarily absorbs light at wavelengths of 450 and 500 nm. The wavelengths which are absorbed via the pigments are primarily red and blue/purple light. This photosynthetic reaction which occurs in plants convert shortwave radiation from the sun into carbohydrates and release oxygen as the byproduct. The oxygen which is released as the byproduct is then used as the reactant for cellular respiration. More information about wavelengths and the sun can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight#Solar_constant
THE SUN
This is a picture of the sun. Taken at UNCW at around 2 PM. The sun is approximately 93 million miles away from the Earth, and although its distance from the Earth is tremendous, it plays the most vital role for most all life. The sun at 5800¬⁰C emits photons at a short wavelength, sending visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared rays primarily. The sun emits about 1361 W/m2 outward constantly and the Earth revives around 51% of the energy it receives, with the rest being absorbed by clouds and the atmosphere or being reflected into space. This energy drives the most basic primary producers who undergo photosynthesis. The primary producers have multiple pigments in chlorophyll A, B, and beta carotene, and each pigment absorbs a different respective wavelength. Chlorophyll A absorbs wavelengths of light primarily at 430 and 664 nm, Chlorophyll B absorbs light primarily at 460 and 647 nm, and beta carotene primarily absorbs light at wavelengths of 450 and 500 nm. The wavelengths which are absorbed via the pigments are primarily red and blue/purple light. This photosynthetic reaction which occurs in plants convert shortwave radiation from the sun into carbohydrates and release oxygen as the byproduct. The oxygen which is released as the byproduct is then used as the reactant for cellular respiration. More information about wavelengths and the sun can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunlight#Solar_constant