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

2568 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Give a brief description of the Big Bang and describe its link to cosmic microwave background radiation.


A person stands on top of a cliff and throws a ball with a speed of 20 m/s at an angle of 10 degrees from above the horizontal into the sea. What is the height of the cliff to 1 decimal place?


What are the 'rules' of oscillation?


What are Newton's three laws?


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