Using the solar constant, estimate the rate at which the whole earth receives energy from the sun. (hint: think about the area of the earth as seen from the sun)

1.475×10²⁴ W

Explanation:

I = Solar constant of the sun = 1362 W/m² (measured using satellites with value 1.3608 ± 0.0005 kW/m² the error is due to fact that solar output is not always constant)

r = Radius of earth = 6371 km = 6371000 m (mean radius)

A = Area of earth = (4/3)×π×r³

=(4/3)×π×6371000³ = 1.083×10²¹ m²

P = I×A

⇒P = 1362×1.083×10²¹

⇒P = 1.475×10²⁴ W

∴ Rate at which the whole Earth receives energy from the Sun is 1.475×10²⁴ W

air exerts forces on falling objects near earth’s surface.

explanation:

the term 'free falls' refer to object that are falling towards the earth, in a situation in which gravity is the only force acting on the object.

for an object in free fall, the acceleration is constant (g, the gravitational acceleration), and so the velocity of the object constantly increases.

for objects near earth's surface, there is always another force acting on the object: the resistance due to the air. this force is opposed to the direction of fall of the object, and it is proportional to the velocity of the object, so as the object falls down, this force increases up to a point when it balances the force of gravity, and the object continues its motion at constant velocity (called terminal velocity). since in this case gravity is not the only force acting on the object, we are not in a situation of free fall.