Radiation Lab Background In Chapter 4 Section 2 Pages 122 ✓ Solved
Radiation Lab Background In Chapter 4 Section 2 Pages 122
In Chapter 4 Section 2, you learned about two radiation laws. Wein’s law gives the wavelength of peak radiation given off by an object at a given temperature. Stefan-Boltzmann’s law gives total intensity of radiation given off by an object at a given temperature. These radiation laws are used by astronomers to determine the temperatures of objects in space. For this lab, we will explore how the change in the temperature of an object affects the type and amount of radiation given off by the object.
To begin, go to the blackbody spectrum simulator. Turn on the graph values, labels, and intensity. Adjust the temperature to 5450 K.
After you are done with the lab, you can move the point around and it will show you how much radiation is given. If you were to find the area under the red curve (i.e., summing up all individual radiations), you would get the total intensity of radiation. For the first part of this lab, adjust the black body temperature to the values in the table provided. For each temperature, record the wavelength of peak radiation, type of electromagnetic radiation, color of peak radiation, spectral power density, and total intensity.
After using the simulator, fill in the data table with the required information. For the analysis questions, you will answer them in the radiation lab itself.
Paper For Above Instructions
The study of radiation laws is pivotal in understanding the physical characteristics of celestial bodies. The two fundamental laws, Wein’s law and Stefan-Boltzmann’s law, provide insights into the temperatures of astronomical objects based on their emitted radiation. This paper aims to illustrate how varying temperatures influence radiation properties, employing a blackbody spectrum simulator.
Understanding Radiation Laws
Wein's law states that there is an inverse relationship between temperature and wavelength. As an object's temperature increases, the peak wavelength of its emitted radiation decreases. This relationship can be observed qualitatively in the simulator, which is set at temperatures ranging from 550 K to 9950 K. Each temperature setting yields distinct spectral power density curves, illustrating the infrared and visible spectrum ranges.
Methodology for Data Collection
To conduct the lab, students utilized the blackbody spectrum simulator to adjust temperatures and observe changes in radiation emissions. The simulator provides visual graphs demonstrating how spectral power density varies with wavelength at different temperatures. Students recorded several specific parameters for various blackbody temperatures:
- Blackbody Temperature (K)
- Wavelength of Peak Radiation (µm)
- Type of Electromagnetic Radiation
- Color of Peak Radiation
- Spectral Power Density (MW/m²/µm)
- Total Intensity (W/m²)
Results and Observations
As noted in previous studies and supported by the lab results, a systematic pattern emerges when examining the above parameters:
Wavelength of Peak Radiation
The data collected illustrates that as the temperature increases from 550 K to 9950 K, the wavelength of peak radiation decreases. For instance, at 550 K, the peak wavelength is around 5.3 µm (infrared region), while at 9950 K, it drops to approximately 0.29 µm (ultraviolet region). This observation reinforces Wein's law, indicating that hotter objects emit radiation at shorter wavelengths.
Type of Electromagnetic Radiation
Corresponding with the peak wavelength shifts, the type of electromagnetic radiation also changes with temperature. At lower temperatures (e.g., 550 K), the emitted radiation primarily falls within the infrared spectrum, while at higher temperatures (e.g., 5750 K for the Sun), visible light marks the peak emissions, highlighting the transition from infrared to visible and ultraviolet emissions.
Color of Peak Radiation
When peak radiation occurs within the visible spectrum, it undergoes noticeable changes. As the temperature climbs, the emitted color does too, transitioning from red at lower temperatures to blue at higher temperatures (e.g., blue-white at 9000 K). This visibility of color reinforces the connection between temperature and perceived color.
Spectral Power Density
Another critical parameter observed is the increase in spectral power density with temperature. For instance, at 550 K, the spectral power density is measured at 7.95 MW/m²/µm, while for a temperature of 9000 K it leaps to about 518.4 MW/m²/µm. This pronounced escalation corresponds to the increase in energy output as temperature surges, illustrating the efficacy of Stefan-Boltzmann’s law.
Total Intensity of Radiation
Similar trends can be noted in total intensity. As the temperature increases, the total intensity exhibits a steep rise. At 550 K, the total intensity measures approximately 0.023 W/m². Contrarily, at 9950 K, it peaks at around 10.14 x 10³ W/m², affirming the direct relationship posited by Stefan-Boltzmann’s law that total emitted radiation intensity is proportional to the fourth power of temperature.
Size and Shape of Black Body Curve
The size and shape of the black body curve also evolve with temperature. As the temperature rises, the curve becomes skewed towards shorter wavelengths, heightening its overall peak and shifting it upwards. This indicates not only an increase in intensity but also a shift in the nature of radiation emitted, which is crucial for astronomical assessments of stellar body temperatures.
Conclusion
Through this lab, it is apparent that temperature greatly influences the characteristics of radiation emitted by blackbody objects. Both Wein’s and Stefan-Boltzmann’s laws play integral roles in elucidating the correlations between temperature, wavelength, and intensity of radiation, serving as fundamental tools for astronomers and researchers in understanding celestial phenomena.
References
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- Renshaw, K. (2016). Understanding Blackbody Radiation. Journal of Modern Physics.
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- Chandrasekhar, S. (1960). Radiative Transfer. Dover Publications.
- Krammy, J. (2013). The Thermal Emission of Stars. Astronomy & Astrophysics Review.
- Weinberg, S. (2008). Cosmology. Oxford University Press.