Radiations coming from the Sun are mostly in the form of

Radiations coming from the Sun are mostly in the form of

light only.
light and long wavelength infrared.
light and short wavelength infrared.
both short and long wavelength infrared.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2019
The correct option is C) light and short wavelength infrared.
The Sun emits electromagnetic radiation across a broad spectrum, with the peak intensity in the visible light region, and significant contributions in the infrared and ultraviolet regions.
The Sun’s surface temperature (around 5500°C or 5778 K) causes it to radiate energy according to Wien’s displacement law and Planck’s law. The peak wavelength falls in the visible spectrum (around 500 nm). The emitted radiation also includes infrared. Due to the high temperature, the infrared radiation from the Sun is predominantly in the short-wavelength range (near-infrared, roughly 0.7 to 5 µm), which is higher energy compared to the long-wavelength infrared emitted by cooler objects like the Earth’s surface (which peaks around 10 µm). Therefore, solar radiation consists mainly of visible light and short wavelength infrared.
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