The wavelength at which the Sun emits the most radiation is known as the peak or maximum wavelength, and it corresponds to the wavelength of light emitted at the highest intensity. This peak wavelength is determined by the Sun's temperature, which is approximately 5,500 degrees Celsius (9,932 degrees Fahrenheit) at its surface.
According to Wien's displacement law, the peak wavelength (λmax) of black body radiation is inversely proportional to the temperature. The equation for Wien's displacement law is:
λmax = b / T
where λmax is the peak wavelength, b is Wien's displacement constant (approximately 2.898 x 10^-3 Kelvin-meter), and T is the temperature in Kelvin.
Converting the Sun's surface temperature to Kelvin:
T = 5,500°C + 273.15 = 5,773.15 K
Substituting the values into the equation:
λmax = (2.898 x 10^-3 m·K) / 5,773.15 K
λmax ≈ 501 nm
Therefore, the wavelength at which the Sun emits the most radiation, known as the peak wavelength, is approximately 501 nanometers (nm), which falls within the green color region of the visible spectrum.