How long does it take for sunlight hitting the planet to deliver as much energy as all humans use in one year?

The correct choice reflects the impressive amount of energy that the Sun provides to Earth. To understand why this answer aligns with the data, consider that the average annual energy consumption of humanity is significant, in the range of several trillion joules. In contrast, the Earth receives an enormous amount of solar energy daily, estimated at about 174 petawatts (1 petawatt = 10^15 watts) at the top of the atmosphere.

When calculating how much solar energy reaches the planet, it's clear that this energy delivery can meet or exceed global human energy usage quite rapidly. The data suggest that it takes roughly one hour for sunlight to deliver energy equivalent to what all humans consume in an entire year. This fact emphasizes both the vastness of solar energy available and its potential role in addressing global energy demands.

The other response options imply much shorter durations than what is needed for sunlight to match human energy use in a year. Given the scale of energy consumption compared to the instantaneous delivery of solar energy, it becomes evident that an hour is the more accurate estimate. Overall, such calculations underline the importance of solar energy as a renewable resource that could potentially fulfill our energy needs sustainably.