Blackbody Radiation Calculator

Calculate Thermal Radiation Parameters

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Peak Wavelength Calculator

Calculate peak wavelength using Wien's displacement law.

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Total Power Calculator

Calculate total radiated power using Stefan-Boltzmann law.

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Understanding Blackbody Radiation

What is Blackbody Radiation?

Blackbody radiation is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an ideal black body in thermal equilibrium. This phenomenon led to the development of quantum mechanics when classical physics failed to explain the observed spectrum.

Key Laws

Fundamental laws governing blackbody radiation:

  • Wien's Law: Peak wavelength inversely proportional to temperature
  • Stefan-Boltzmann Law: Total power proportional to T⁴
  • Planck's Law: Spectral radiance distribution
  • Kirchhoff's Law: Absorption equals emission

Historical Significance

Major developments:

  • 1859: Kirchhoff defines perfect black body
  • 1879: Stefan discovers T⁴ law
  • 1893: Wien formulates displacement law
  • 1900: Planck solves ultraviolet catastrophe
  • 1905: Einstein explains photoelectric effect

Applications

Blackbody radiation is important in:

  • Astronomy and cosmology
  • Temperature measurement
  • Thermal imaging
  • Solar energy technology
  • Materials science

Essential Blackbody Formulas

Wien's Law

λₘₐₓ = b/T

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

P = εσAT⁴

Planck's Law

B(λ,T) = (2hc²/λ⁵)/(e^(hc/λkT) - 1)