How would our Sun's luminosity change if we increased its temperature 3 times?

The luminosity of our Sun could be derived by the Stefan-Boltzmann, otherwise known as Luminosity law. It says the total energy produced by a unit surface per unit time area (power per unit area) is: (power per unit area)=(Stefan-Boltzmann constant)(Temperature)4 That means the luminosity of the Sun is L=(Surface area of the Sun)(Stefan-Boltzmann constant)*(Temperature)4. We are only changing the temperature by a factor 3. That means the luminosity will increase by a factor of 34, since the temperature is present in the formula above with its fourth power. Therefore, the luminosity would increase 81 times.

DG
Answered by Denislav G. Physics tutor

2710 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Calculate the kinetic energy of a proton moving at 95% of the speed of light. (c = 3x10^8 m/s, m_p = 1.67x10^-27 kg) [4 marks]


What are the SUVAT equations and how can I remember them?


A pendulum of mass m is released from height h with a speed v at the bottom of its swing. a) What is the gravitational potential energy at height h and the kinetic energy at the bottom of its swing? b) Use conservation of energy to define the speed v.


One of the decays of potassium (A=40, Z=19) results in an excited argon atom with excess energy of 1.50 Mev. In order to be stable, it emits a gamma photon. What frequency and wavelength has this gamma photon?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning