Question: What fraction of the total power radiated by the sun falls in the ultra violet spectral

region? Assume that the sun is a blackbody. (Hint: You may need a table of the integral
values of the Planck function.)

Known or previously-derived values:

a.) Sun’s estimated maximum temperature in °K = 5800
b.) Location of the UV radiation on the EM spectrum = 0.1µm to 0.4µm [Madronich et
al., 1998 and Helbling et al.,
1992]
c.) Integral values of Planck’s function [Siegel, 2002]

Emissive Power (µm. K) Fractional Energy (from zero

wavelength to the desired wavelength;
dimensionless)
600 9.29 E-8
800 1.64 E-5
1000 3.21 E-4
2000 0.06673
2200 0.10089
2400 0.14026

There are quite a number of approaches to solving the problem:

1.0 exp+08
5800 °K, with peak at 0.5µm
8.86 exp+07

5.54 exp+02

0.1µm
0.4µm
Figure 1: Emitted energy (shaded area) between 0.1 – 0.4 µm of the Sun falling within the UV region. The y-axis
is the energy per unit wavelength (Wm^2) and values, in this case, were calculated.
The principles provided by Stefan-Boltzmann, with the utilization of Planck’s function,
stating that the emissive power of a blackbody is a product of the wavelength (λ) and the
temperature (T), can be utilized to compute fractional regions under the curve.

Solution 1:
Considering 0.40µm, the equivalent fractional energy using integral values of Planck’s
function is:

λΤ = 0.40 (5800) = 2330 µmK [emissive power of the given blackbody at the given
wavelength]

2200 - 0.10089
2320 - FE
2400 - 0.14026

By interpolation, solving Fractional Energy (FE):

4.7244 = 200FE – 20.178
FE = 0.124512 or 12.4512 % [Fractional energy under the Planck’s curve
from 0µm to 0.4µm. Note: The 0µm is based from the assumption given in the
integral values table. This 12.4512% shaded area in figure 1 under the red
curve could be estimated as the total power radiated by the sun in the ultra
violet spectral region, although the range is from 0µm to 0.4µm.

Solution 2:
Instead of 0 to 0.40 µm, the fractional energy can also be computed in a wavelength interval,
as in this case, 0.1 to 0.4 µm.

Considering 0.1µm, the equivalent fractional energy using integral values of Planck’s function
is:
λΤ = 0.10 (5800) = 580 µmK [emissive power of the given blackbody at the given
wavelength]

From the table of integral values, the closest Fractional Energy (FE) equivalent is
9.29exp-08, a very minimal effect yet necessary to show that the area bounded by the
UV doesn’t start at a zero wavelength but at 0.1µm.

Therefore, the total power radiated by the sun in the ultra violet spectral region is:
FE = 0.124512 - 9.29exp-08 = 0.124503 or 12.4503 %

Solution 3:
The shaded area bounded by the curve and the x-axis can be analyzed using basic integral
calculus. The equation of the curve can be taken from the equation of the parabola (more
specific) or the equation of a line (less specific). Note that the differences of values of the
“fractional energy” derived using any of the equation mentioned is negligible, due to the
nature of the curve that abruptly changes the slope from the peak going downwards.
Parabolic Analysis (please refer to figure 1 for the values):

( y −k) = − ( x − h)
2
---- Equation of a parabola
4P
Substituting values to the equation to solve for P:

 ( x − 0.5) 2 
( y − 100000000) = − 
 4 P 
P = 2.193exp-10

Solving for the equation of the curve:

( y − 100000000)(4)(2.193 exp− 10) = − x 2 + x − 0.25

y = −(11.40 exp+ 8) x 2 + (11.40 exp+ 8) x − 1.85 exp+ 8 [This is the equation of

the parabolic curve]

Please refer to figure 1 for visual aid in the computation of the area bounded by a parabolic
curve on top, a line with x = 0.1 on the left, a line with x = 0.4 on the right, and the x-axis at
the bottom.

Consider a vertical differential element with differential area = Ldx = ydx. This element has
to be integrated from limits 0.1 to 0.4 to compute the bounded area.
0.4
A = ∫ (−(11.40 exp+ 8) x 2 + (11.40 exp+ 8) x − 1.85 exp+ 8)dx
0.1
Integrating will lead to: A = 7exp+6 [shaded area bounded within the UV range]
This value has to be compared to the total radiation emitted by the blackbody (sun) which is
approximated to be 64 million Wm^-2.

Fractional energy in the UV spectral region is: (7exp+6)/(64exp+6) = 0.1093 = 10.93%

Conclusion:
The differences in fractional energy (FE) values are attributed to the underlying processes of
each method and the assumptions that the equations used may be derived or based from. This
researcher cannot pinpoint which method exactly defines or is closest to the “real” FE or the
area bounded by the UV region. It is with assurance, however, that the values were computed
with mathematical explanations behind each.
References:

Helbling, E. W., Virginia villafane, Martha Ferrario, Osmund Holm-Hansen. 1992. Impact of
natural ultraviolet radiation on rates of photosynthesis and on specific marine phytoplankton
species. Marine Ecology Progress Series, Vol. 80: 89-100

Madronich, S., R.L. McKenzie, L.O. Bjo¨rn, M.M. Caldwell. 1998. Changes in biologically
active ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. Journal of Photochemistry and
Photobiology B: Biology 46, 5–19

Book:
Siegel, Robert and Howell, John. 2002. Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer. New York, NY;
Taylor and Francis.