If solar radiation is 1130 w/m2, how many photons strike the leaf every second? assume three significant figures and an average wavelength of 504 nm for solar radiation. answers

To determine the number of photons emitted per second, we need data on the total power of the system and the total energy of the photons. We determine the power by multiplying the total area to the intensity of the sunlight given. However, the area is not given so we just use the power which would be in terms of power per unit area We do as follows:

Power = 1130 W / m^2

The energy of the visible light can be calculated from the expression:

Energy = hc / wavelength

where h is the planck's constant and c is the speed of light

Energy = (6.63 x 10^-34) (3 x 10^8) / 504 x 10^-9

Energy = 3.95 x 10^-19 J

Number of photons per second = 1130 J/s-m^2 / 3.95 x 10^-19 J

Number of photons per second = 2.86 x 10^21 photons per second per m^2