A climate model represents a rocky moon with an atmosphere. The model includes only transfers of radiation between the moon and space.
Some light-coloured surface material is removed, exposing darker rock beneath. At the same time, the concentration of methane in the atmosphere increases.
The table gives radiation data before the changes and immediately after the changes, before the average temperature has had time to change.
| Stage | Average incoming power per square metre in W/m² | Average reflected power per square metre in W/m² | Average outgoing infrared power escaping per square metre in W/m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before the changes | 360 | 110 | 250 |
| Immediately after the changes | 360 | 90 | 235 |
Explain how the data show that the moon initially had a stable average temperature and how the two changes will affect its average temperature. Include in your answer how a new stable temperature 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.