4.6.3.1 Emission and Absorption of Infrared Radiation

Question 1

What do all bodies do?

Answer 1

• all bodies (objects), no matter what temperature, emit and absorb infrared radiation
• the hotter the body the more infrared radiation it radiates in a given time

Question 2

What is a perfect black body?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What surfaces are the best absorbers and emitters of IR radiation?

Answer 3

black, matt surfaces

Question 4

What surfaces are the worst absorbers and emitters of IR radiation?

Answer 4

shiny white surfaces