A large solar panel on a spacecraft in Earth orbit produces 1.0 kW of power when the panel is turned toward the sun. What power would the solar cell produce if the spacecraft were in orbit around Saturn, 9.5 times as far from the sun?

Question

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Physics

23 May, 09:19

A large solar panel on a spacecraft in Earth orbit produces 1.0 kW of power when the panel is turned toward the sun. What power would the solar cell produce if the spacecraft were in orbit around Saturn, 9.5 times as far from the sun?

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Answers (1)

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Kayden Atkins · Answer 1

e*P_s = 11 W

Explanation:

Given:

- e*P = 1.0 KW

- r_s = 9.5*r_e

- e is the efficiency of the panels

Find:

What power would the solar cell produce if the spacecraft were in orbit around Saturn

Solution:

- We use the relation between the intensity I and distance of light:

I_1 / I_2 = (r_2 / r_1) ^2

- The intensity of sun light at Saturn's orbit can be expressed as:

I_s = I_e * (r_e / r_s) ^2

I_s = (1.0 KW / e*a) * (1 / 9.5) ^2

I_s = 11 W / e*a

- We know that P = I*a, hence we have:

P_s = I_s*a

P_s = 11 W / e

Hence, e*P_s = 11 W