A student is asked why solar panels are less efficient during early morning hours. Which electromagnetic property explains this observation?
Sunlight is less intense at low angle
In the early morning the Sun is low in the sky, so its rays strike the panel at a low angle.
The same energy is spread over a larger area and also travels through a thicker layer of atmosphere, so the sunlight reaching the panel is less intense.
The speed of light does not drop in air in a way that matters here, and Earth's rotation does not increase intensity.
Hence, the answer is that sunlight is less intense at low angle.
Similar Questions
Which wavelength range is primarily responsible for heating the Earth's surface and contributing to the greenhouse effect?
A scientist is investigating why certain EM waves from the Sun do not reach the Earth's surface. Which property of gamma rays primarily explains their absence at ground level?
A water purification system uses electromagnetic energy to kill bacteria. Which region of the spectrum is being utilised for this function?
Important Questions from Electromagnetic Waves
The radio waves used for signaling and communication can be classified as which of the following?
- An electromagnetic wave propagates through a transparent, non-magnetic medium. If the relative permittivity of this medium is $\epsilon_r = 4$, and its relative permeability is $\mu_r = 1$, what is the speed of the electromagnetic wave in this medium? (Assume the speed of light in vacuum is $c = 3 \times 10^8$ m/s).
X-rays are produced when a target of suitable material element of high atomic mass is bombarded by a beam of fast moving and high energy particles such as:
Which of the following rays are used in doing LASIK (Laser - Assisted in Situ keratomileusis) eye surgery?
Arrange the following in the ascending order of their wavelength.
(i) Microwaves
(ii) Infrared rays
(iii) Visible rays
(iv) AM radio waves
(v) Gamma rays
(vi) X-rays
(vii) FM radio waves
