Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: Yellow-green
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Sun emits light over a broad spectrum of wavelengths, from ultraviolet through visible to infrared. In the visible region, human eyes perceive different wavelengths as different colours. The intensity of sunlight is not exactly the same at all visible wavelengths; it peaks in a particular colour region. Understanding which colour corresponds to the maximum intensity helps in studying black body radiation, the nature of sunlight, and the sensitivity of the human eye. This question asks which visible colour region best matches the brightest light emitted by the Sun.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers to the brightest or maximum intensity of visible light from the Sun.
- Options combine colour names such as yellow green, red green, green blue, and red blue.
- We assume the Sun is approximated as a black body radiator with a surface temperature of about 5800 K.
- The focus is on the peak of the Sun visible emission, not on perceived colour of the solar disc from Earth atmosphere.
Concept / Approach:
A black body at a temperature similar to the Sun surface has its maximum emission in the visible region around a wavelength of roughly 500 to 550 nanometres. This region corresponds to green to yellow green light. However, because the Sun emits across all visible wavelengths and the human eye integrates this light, the Sun appears nearly white when seen from space and slightly yellowish from Earth. In terms of intensity versus wavelength, though, the peak lies in the yellow green band. Therefore, among the options listed, yellow green is the closest description of the brightest colour emitted by the Sun. The combined terms red green, green blue, and red blue do not correspond to well defined single peak regions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Sun surface temperature is about 5800 K and can be treated as a black body radiator.
Step 2: Use the idea of black body spectra, where the peak wavelength is inversely related to temperature and falls in the visible range for the Sun.
Step 3: Remember that this peak is around 500 to 550 nanometres, which lies in the green to yellow green region of the visible spectrum.
Step 4: Compare the colour combinations in the options and identify yellow green as the best label for this region.
Step 5: Choose yellow green as the answer corresponding to the brightest region of the Sun visible light.
Verification / Alternative check:
Physics references that plot the solar spectrum show a curve peaking in the visible band near green. The human eye is also most sensitive around the green yellow part of the spectrum, which enhances our perception of brightness there. In detailed descriptions, the Sun is said to emit a maximum intensity around 500 nanometres, labelled as green or yellow green. No reputable source identifies red green, green blue, or red blue as distinct peak descriptors. This evidence supports selecting yellow green as the correct answer for the brightest visible colour emitted by the Sun.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Red green is not a specific spectral colour and mixes two ends of the spectrum; the Sun intensity peaks closer to the green yellow band, not deep red.
- Green blue would shift the peak too far toward shorter wavelengths; while there is strong blue emission, the maximum combined intensity near 500 to 550 nanometres is better described as yellow green.
- Red blue is not a single colour region but a contrast of extremes, and does not match the known peak of the solar spectrum.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may answer based on the apparent colour of the Sun as seen through the atmosphere, which can look yellowish or reddish at sunrise and sunset. Others may remember diagrams that show a peak near green and incorrectly pick a green blue combination because blue skies are associated with sunlight scattering. It is helpful to separate atmospheric effects from the intrinsic solar spectrum and focus on the wavelength of peak emission, which lies near the yellow green region. Remembering that both the solar spectrum peak and the eye sensitivity peak fall near this region makes the correct choice clearer.
Final Answer:
The brightest or maximum intensity of visible light from the Sun corresponds most closely to Yellow-green light.
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