Radiation and Absorption

• Method for investigating infrared radiation?

  1. Set up the four identical flasks painted black, grey, white and silver
  2. Fill the flasks with hot water, ensuring the measurements start from the same initial temperature
  3. Note the starting temperature, then measure the temperatures at regular intervals e.g. every 30 seconds for 10 minutes
  4. The darker colors are better emitters of infrared radiation
• Independent variable (radiation)?

  colour
• Dependent variable (radiation)?

  temperature
• Control Variables (radiation)?

  • identical flasks
  • same volume of hot water
  • same starting temp of water
• Errors (radiation)?

  • starting temperature being different (systematic)
  • Read values on thermometer at eye level (parallax)