Blackbody Radiation Interactive (71.0K)
Here we study how changes in temperature affect the energy radiated by the surfaces of planets. Given that the temperature of the surface of Venus is about 750 K, and that the surface of Mars is about 250 K, let's compare their infrared output.
Any object warmer than absolute zero gives off some radiation, but its temperature determines how much energy it radiates, and in what forms. Here we study how changes in temperature affect the colors of stars.
Any object warmer than absolute zero gives off some radiation, but its temperature determines how much energy it radiates, and in what forms. Wein's Law is a math expression that allows us to quantitively calculate just where the peak will fall.
Wein's Law applies to a wide range of bodies and temperatures. In the extreme case of collapsed stars, the temperatures can be very hot.
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