Black body radiation

• All bodies (objects) emit and absorb radiation
• The hotter the body

  More infrared radiation is given out and more visible light is emitted
• Black body

  An object that is good at absorbing and emitting radiation
• Theoretically, a black body would absorb all radiation
• Poor absorbers and emitters

  Shiny materials are the worst absorbers (reflect all light)
• Shiny materials


  Poor emitters as they emit radiation slowly
• Make sure the distance between the detector and surface is equal for each reading
• Materials and infrared radiation

  1.Either use a Leslie cube or Test tubes with different surfaces

  2.fill with boiling water

  3.Leave for 1 minute to allow surfaces to warm up

  4.Use infrared detector to measure Intensity of infrared radiation emitted from each surface

  5.Make sure the distance between the detector and surface is equal for each reading

  6.Record readings every minute for the 10 minutes of cooling