Name: Ahmed Alkhaldi

Blackbody Radiation

Go to http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=Blackbody_Spectrum
and click on Run Now.
1) In this lab, you will use the Blackbody Spectrum Simulation to investigate how the
spectrum of electromagnetic radiation emitted by objects is affected by the object's
temperature. In this simulation, you can input the temperature and observe the
spectrum of the radiation emitted.
a) The temperature of stars in the universe varies with the type of star and the age of
the star among other things. By looking at the shape of the spectrum of light emitted
by a star, we can tell something about its average surface temperature.
i) If we observe a star's spectrum and find that the peak power occurs at the
border between red and infrared light, what is the approximate surface
temperature of the star? (in degrees C)
The peak power occurs at the border between red and infrared light, at
approximately 4035 Kelvins i.e. 4035-273 = 3762o C
ii) If we observe a stars spectrum and find that the peak power occurs at the
border between blue and ultraviolet light, what is the surface temperature of the
star? (in degrees C)
The peak power occurs at the border between blue and ultraviolet light, at
approximately 7115 Kelvins i.e. 7115-273 = 6842o C

b) Light bulbs operate at 2500 degrees C.

i)
What is the wavelength at which the most power is emitted for a light bulb
operating at 2500 C?
2500oC corresponds to 2500+273 = 2773 Kelvins. At 2773 Kelvins the
wavelength depicted by the simulation is 1.03 m (1030 nm).
ii) Explain why regular incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy. Be sure to
include your reasoning.
Regular incandescent bulbs waste a lot of energy as most of their light emission is
beyond human visible wavelength range. Therefore, it can be deduced that most
of the energy is being utilized in the production of light which is not illuminating
anything for humans, thus wasting energy.
c) Use the Spectrum Simulation to investigate changes in the amount of light at
visible wavelengths due to this change in temperature from 2500 C to 2000 C.

i) What is the approximate ratio between the powers emitted at 500 nm at 2000
degrees C to that at 2500 degrees C, that is, the power emitted at 500 nm at 2000
degrees C divided by the amount of power at 500 nm at degrees 2500 C?
The ratio between powers at particular wavelength is directly proportional to the
height obtained at y-axis against a particular point on x-axis, therefore:
Temperature (oC)
2000
2500

Temperature (Kelvin)
2273
2773

Height @ 500nm
1 cm
11 cm

Ratio of powers = 1 / 11 = 0.09

ii) In question 1b, we found the wavelength for the peak power of a bulb
operating at 2500 degrees C. What is the approximate peak wavelength for a bulb
operating at 2000 degrees C?
2000oC corresponds to 2000+273 = 2273 Kelvins. At 2273 Kelvins the
wavelength depicted by the simulation is 1.25 m (1250 nm).

d) You turn up the dimmer switch so that the temperature of the filament reaches 2600
degrees C. The light bulb filament has an area of 6.45 x 10-4 m2 (0.1 square inches) and an
emissivity of 0.8. How much electrical power must it be using?
Temperature = 2600oC = 2600+273 K = 2873 Kelvins
Emissivity = 0.8
Area = 6.45 x 10-4 m2
Boltzmans Constant = 5.67 x 10-8 J/s.m2.K4
P = Emissivity x Boltzmans Constant x Temperature4 x Area
= 0.8 x 5.67 x 10-8 x (2873)4 x 6.45 x 10-4
= 1993.31 Watts