2.3.6

Emitting Radiation

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Emitting Radiation

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

Illustrative background for High surface temperatureIllustrative background for High surface temperature ?? "content

High surface temperature

  • Bodies with a higher surface temperature will emit radiation faster.
Illustrative background for High surface areaIllustrative background for High surface area ?? "content

High surface area

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

  • Bodies are at a constant temperature when the rate of energy absorbed is equal to the rate of energy emitted by the body.
  • If a body absorbs more energy than it emits, its temperature increases.
  • If a body emits more energy than it absorbs, its temperature decreases.
Illustrative background for The Earth’s temperatureIllustrative background for The Earth’s temperature ?? "content

The Earth’s temperature

  • The temperature of the Earth depends on the balance between:
    • Incoming radiation from the Sun (mainly visible light and short-wave infrared).
    • Outgoing radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface (mainly longer-wave infrared).
  • If the Earth absorbs more energy from the Sun than it emits, its average temperature increases.
  • If the Earth emits more energy than it absorbs, its average temperature decreases.
  • If the rates are equal, the temperature remains constant.

Jump to other topics

1Motion, Forces & Energy

1.1Physical Quantities & Measurement Techniques

1.2Motion

1.3Mass & Weight

1.4Density

1.5Forces: Effects of Forces

1.6Forces: Turning Effects of Forces

1.7Forces: Centre of Gravity

1.8Momentum

1.9Energy, Work, & Power: Energy

1.10Energy, Work & Power: Work

1.11Energy, Work & Power: Energy Resources

1.12Energy, Work & Power: Power

1.13Pressure

2Thermal Physics

3Waves

4Electricity & Magnetism

4.1Simple Phenomena of Magnetism

4.2Electrical Quantities: Electric Charge

4.3Electrical Quantities: Electric Current

4.4Electromotive Force & Potential Difference

4.5Electrical Quantities: Resistance

4.6Electrical Energy & Electrical Power

4.7Electric Circuits: Circuit Diagrams & Components

4.8Electric Circuits: Series & Parallel Circuits

4.9Electric Circuits: Action & Use

4.10Electrical Safety

4.11Electromagnetic Effects: Electromagnetic Induction

4.12Electromagnetic Effects: The A.C. Generator

4.13Magnetic Effect of a Current

4.14Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

4.15Electromagnetic Effects: The D.C. Motor

4.16Electromagnetic Effects: The Transformer

5Nuclear Physics

6Space Physics

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