Past exam of the short options paper shared by Prelims and Parts A and B of the physics course of the University of Oxford / 2016 / S29 / 1

Radiative equilibrium balances absorbed solar power against emitted thermal power, with no net energy accumulation. A spherical body's projected area absorbs $\pi r^2{F}_S(1-A)/R_{AU}^2$; its full area emits $4\pi r^2ϵ\sigma T^4$. HenceHere $A$ is bolometric Bond albedo, not a geometric albedo measured at one phase or wavelength. The radius cancels because the absorption and emission areas scale together.

The formula assumes spherical geometry, an effective uniform emission temperature, steady balance, specified bolometric emissivity, no important internal heating and appropriate redistribution or averaging. An atmosphere is not mathematically required: for any surface-temperature pattern the same global balance holds with $T_{eq}^4=⟨T^4⟩$ if emissivity is uniform. Without redistribution on an ideal airless surface, local dayside equilibrium instead gives $T(\zeta )=[F_S(1-A)\cos \zeta /(ϵ\sigma R_{AU}^2){]}^{1/4}$ and the instantaneous night side would approach zero in the no-storage limit. Atmospheric absence alone does not justify replacing the factor four by one for a global temperature.

For $F_S=1360$ W m${}^{-2}$ and emissivity one, the estimates areThese are effective fourth-power averages set by absorbed sunlight, not automatic surface thermometer readings. Uncertainty in actual albedo, emissivity and redistribution changes a more detailed model.

The Moon's mean equatorial temperature near 206 K is well below the approximately 270 K global effective radiative temperature. The surface has a large day-night range and finite thermal inertia; $⟨T^4{⟩}^{1/4}$ exceeds $⟨T⟩$, so comparing those two differently averaged quantities as though they were equal is invalid. The discrepancy need not imply a missing atmospheric greenhouse effect on an airless Moon.

Jupiter emits at about 130 K rather than the solar-only estimate around 111 K. Intrinsic heat contributes additional outgoing flux, so $\sigma T_{\mathrm{emit}}^4=F_{\mathrm{absorbed}}+F_{\mathrm{internal}}$. The difference of fourth powers is the relevant energy excess, not their direct temperature difference. Cooling and contraction of the interior provide the main physical motivation for including this extra term.

Io's volcanic structures and young resurfaced regions indicate strong ongoing geological activity, despite a low sunlight-set equilibrium temperature. Tidal dissipation forced by its orbital interactions supplies interior energy. Europa's fractured relatively lightly cratered ice indicates resurfacing and a mechanically active ice shell on geological timescales, with tidal heating a plausible contributor; surface appearance alone does not prove every fracture is currently opening. Ganymede has both older cratered regions and grooved younger terrain, indicating a more varied resurfacing history; primordial/radiogenic heat and past tides can matter. Callisto's heavily cratered surface suggests much less extensive recent resurfacing, without proving that all interior activity or subsurface liquid is absent.

The comparison is between surface ages and possible energy sources, not simply “warmer means active.” Surface irradiation is too cold to explain silicate volcanism, while internal heat, tidal work and material-dependent melting temperatures can sustain processes below a cold surface. The NASA images in the source are evidence to interpret; no exam illustration is reproduced.