Waves and Optics
Black Bodies and Thermal Radiation
To explain how objects emit and absorb thermal radiation and how temperature affects the transfer of energy.

What you will learn

What a perfect black body is

Why black bodies absorb radiation effectively

How temperature affects radiation emitted

Why hot objects emit more radiation

How absorption and emission affect thermal equilibrium
Explanation
A perfect black body absorbs all incident radiation and is the best possible emitter at a given temperature. All bodies emit and absorb thermal radiation; higher temperature increases total emission and shifts the peak towards shorter wavelengths. A body warms when absorbed power exceeds emitted power and cools when emission exceeds absorption; equal rates give constant temperature. Example: Define a perfect black body. An object that absorbs all incident radiation. Give a reason. Compare cases.
