How Is Heat From The Sun Lost On It's Way To Earth?

[Roberto577]

Hello, I am a student at a California High School, and I am curious as to how the Sun's surface temperature is nearly 5800 K and yet the Earth is not nearly that hot. I know that some must be lost in the atmosphere, but some has to be lost in space too, right? I'm curious as to how it's lost in a vacuum.

[Cascabel]

Well, the energy would spread out so if the distance from the sun doubles the energy intensity is only a quarter. The same reason a candle illuminates the immediate area more brightly than further away. The energy is not lost, it just spreads out.

[Roberto577]

Thanks I think I understand.