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Question 17N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.ii

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Date November 2017 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 17N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.ii
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Suggest Question number b.ii Adapted from N/A
b.ii.
[Maximum mark: 3]
17N.2.SL.TZ0.5b.ii

A satellite powered by solar cells directed towards the Sun is in a polar orbit about the Earth.

The satellite is orbiting the Earth at a distance of 6600 km from the centre of the Earth.

The satellite carries an experiment that measures the peak wavelength emitted by different objects. The Sun emits radiation that has a peak wavelength λS of 509 nm. The peak wavelength λE of the radiation emitted by the Earth is 10.1 μm.

(b.ii)

Suggest how the difference between λS and λE helps to account for the greenhouse effect.

[3]

Markscheme

wavelength of radiation from the Sun is shorter than that emitted from Earth «and is not absorbed by the atmosphere»

infrared radiation emitted from Earth is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

this radiation is re-emitted in all directions «including back to Earth»

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