A Level Physics Notes: Thermal Physics and Gases - Black Body Radiation
A black body is a theoretical object that absorbs all of the
radiation that hits it – none is reflected. Of course the radiation
on is re emitted – a perfect absorber of radiation is also a
perfect emitter, since if absorbs radiation of all wavelengths, if
must also emit at all wavelengths - and when it is re emitted, the
graph of intensity against wavelength is the shape of a block body
curve characteristic of the temperature of that body.
.
Examples
Objects at around room
temperature emit mainly infra-red radiation
which
is invisible. The sun emits most of its radiation at visible
wavelengths, particularly yellow .A simple example of a black body
radiator is a furnace. If there is a small hole in the door of the
furnace heat energy can enter from the outside. Inside the furnace
this is absorbed by the inside walls, and re emitted at wavelengths
defined by the temperature of the walls. The radiation bounces about
inside furnace until it eventually escapes through the hole. The
radiation that escapes contain radiation of all wavelengths with
intensities defined by the black body curve.
Stars are also approximate black body radiators. Most of the light directed at a star is absorbed. It is therefore capable of absorbing all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, so is also capable of emitting all wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.