6.6.1

Infrared Radiation

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Radiation

Infrared radiation can transfer thermal energy without a medium (substance to travel through). All bodies (objects) emit radiation.

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Electromagnetic wave

  • Infra-red radiation is an electromagnetic wave (it is part of the electromagnetic spectrum).
  • We cannot see it but we do feel it as heat.
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The Sun

  • The infra-red radiation emitted by the Sun transmits thermal (heat) energy to the Earth.
  • Infra-red radiation does not need a medium, so can still travel through space.

Radiation & Surface Colour

Surfaces can either reflect, absorb (take in), or emit (give out) infra-red radiation. Good absorbers (taker inners) of infra-red radiation are usually bad reflectors of infra-red radiation.

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White surfaces

  • White surfaces are good reflectors of infra-red radiation.
  • White surfaces are poor emitters and absorbers of infra-red radiation.
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Black surfaces

  • Black surfaces are good emitters, good absorbers and poor reflectors.
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Shiny surfaces

  • Shiny surfaces of a colour are poorer absorbers of radiation than dull surfaces of the same colour.
  • Shiny surfaces are poorer emitters and better reflectors than dull surfaces of the same colour.
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A perfect black body

  • A perfect black body is an object that absorbs all of the radiation incident on it.
  • A black body does not reflect or transmit any radiation.
  • Since a good absorber is also a good emitter, a perfect black body would be the best possible emitter.

Surface Area & Temperature

The amount of radiation emitted by a body (object) depends on its surface area and surface temperature.

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High surface temperature

  • Bodies with a higher surface temperature will emit radiation faster.
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High surface area

  • Bodies with a large surface area will emit radiation faster.

Jump to other topics

1Energy

2Electricity

3Particle Model of Matter

4Atoms & Radiation

5Forces

6Waves

7Magnetism

8Astrophysics

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