Solar radiation
Solar radiation
Solar radiation (pronunciation: /ˈsoʊlər ˌreɪdiˈeɪʃən/) refers to the radiant energy emitted by the Sun. It is also known as sunlight or insolation.
Etymology
The term "solar" is derived from the Latin word "sol" meaning "sun", and "radiation" comes from the Latin "radiare" which means "to emit rays".
Definition
Solar radiation is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the Sun. It consists of electromagnetic waves which are released due to nuclear fusion that occurs in the sun. These waves can be classified into different types such as ultraviolet, visible light, and infrared based on their wavelengths.
Effects
Solar radiation is essential for life on Earth. It provides the energy required for photosynthesis in plants, which is the basis of life on Earth. However, excessive exposure to certain types of solar radiation, particularly ultraviolet rays, can have harmful effects such as skin cancer and cataracts.
Measurement
The measurement of solar radiation is done using a device called a pyranometer. This device measures the solar irradiance in watts per square meter (W/m²).
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Solar radiation
- Wikipedia's article - Solar radiation
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski