Consider a planet of radius R_p orbiting a star of radius R_s and a distance of R_sp. The surface temperature of the star is T_s. The emissivity of the planet-atmosphere system at the average frequency of the radiation from the star is E_o (or E_p, followed by some hand writing i can't read well: "That of the star is in 1." )
All these variables are then defined but i don't find that to be important as much as to understanding the problem.

It continues with:

Assume that at the surface temp of the planet the emissivity of the planet-atmosphere system is 0.5E_p.

Question

Consider a planet of radius R_p orbiting a star of radius R_s and a distance of R_sp.  The surface temperature of the star is T_s. The emissivity of the planet-atmosphere system at the average frequency of the radiation from the star is E_o (or E_p, followed by some hand writing i can't read well:  "That of the star is in 1." )
All these variables are then defined but i don't find that to be important as much as to understanding the problem.

It continues with:

Assume that at the surface temp of the planet the emissivity of the planet-atmosphere system is 0.5E_p.

anonymous · Answer

Goal:  Find the surface temp of the planet.

So far in class, we've only been talking about thermodynamics.  I really had no idea where or how to approach this one.

anonymous · Answer

Oh and sorry, when i say defined i really mean they were given numerical values as they were obviously defined in the problem. :P :D

anonymous · Answer

Read and Understand this topic: 
The Blackbody Radiation dependence on temperature.
Keyword: Blackbody radiation