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Electromagnetic solar radiation, energy escaping from the Sun

The Sun continuously emits two kinds of radiation: electromagnetic and corpuscular.

  • Electromagnetic radiation provides light and warmth, but also consists of invisible radiation some of which can be harmful such as ultraviolet.
  • Corpuscular radiation is made up of charged particles (ions and electrons) (Solar Wind)

Energy from the Sun at the speed of light in the form of a wave

Electromagnetic solar radiation is a phenomenon by which energy escapes from the Sun at the speed of light in the form of a wave. There are several types of radiation that can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength or frequency (number of waves per second).

Solar radiation energy types

  • Visible sunlight
    In a rainbow, the solar rays are arranged according to their wavelength (see illustration). From purple to red, the wave gets longer.
  • Infrared (IR)
    With a wavelength larger than the one of red, it is not visible, but we feel its warmth.
  • Ultraviolet (UV)
    Its wavelength is smaller than the one of purple. This part of the solar radiation, which is not visible either, can be harmful for humans.
Electromagnetic radiation: several types of radiation can be expressed in terms of energy, wavelength or frequency. Image credits BIRA-IASB.