A computer model of Mars predicts how a large dust storm changes the planet's radiation balance. Before the storm, the average power per square metre absorbed by the planet equals the average power per square metre it emits to space. The table shows the changes predicted during the storm.
| Radiation transfer | Change in power per unit area |
|---|---|
| Power absorbed from sunlight | Decreases by 18 W/m2 |
| Infrared power emitted to space | Decreases by 25 W/m2 |
Calculate the resulting imbalance between absorbed and emitted power per unit area. Explain how the planet's average temperature changes at first and as a new balance is reached.
96 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 5.3 Black body radiation, covering 5.3.1 Emission of radiation and temperature, 5.3.2 Radiation balance and constant temperature, and 5.3.3 The temperature of the Earth. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.