Help with Blackbody: Doubling \lambda_{max} with Temp Increase

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In summary, doubling the rate of emission of spectral radiation in a blackbody cavity results in a decrease of 0.84 times the original value for the maximum wavelength, due to the increase in temperature of the cavity walls.
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tony873004
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At a given temperature, [tex]\lambda_{max}[/tex] for a blackbody cavity = 6500 angstroms. What will [tex]\lambda_{max}[/tex] be if the temperature of the cavity walls is increased so that the rate of emission of spectral radiation is doubled?

[tex]
R_T = \sigma T^4 \,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,T^4 = \frac{{R_T }}{\sigma }\,\,\,\, \Rightarrow \,\,\,\,T = \sqrt[4]{{\frac{{R_T }}{\sigma }}}\,\,\,
[/tex]

[tex]\lambda _{{\rm{max}}} = \frac{\alpha }{T}[/tex]

[tex]\lambda _{{\rm{max,2}}} = \frac{\alpha }{{T_2 }} = \frac{\alpha }{{\sqrt[4]{{\frac{{R_{T,2} }}{\sigma }}}}} = \frac{\alpha }{{\sqrt[4]{{\frac{{2R_{T,1} }}{\sigma }}}}}[/tex]

Just looking at the formula, it seems the answer should be [tex]\frac{1}{{\sqrt[4]{2}}} = 0.84\,\lambda _{{\rm{max,1}}} [/tex]

But shouldn't the max wavelength go up if the temperature is going up?
 
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It just dawned on me. Shoudn't the frequency to up, causing the wavelength to shorten, in which case, I might have done it correctly? Can someone double check that I did this right?
 
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tony873004 said:
It just dawned on me. Shoudn't the frequency to up, causing the wavelength to shorten, in which case, I might have done it correctly? Can someone double check that I did this right?

Yes, higher energies mean higher frequencies and shorter wavelengths; it looks good to me:approve:
 

FAQ: Help with Blackbody: Doubling \lambda_{max} with Temp Increase

What is blackbody radiation?

Blackbody radiation is the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a perfect absorber and emitter of energy, known as a blackbody. It is a fundamental concept in physics and is necessary for understanding the properties of objects at high temperatures.

How does temperature affect blackbody radiation?

As the temperature of a blackbody increases, the intensity and peak wavelength of its emitted radiation also increase. This is known as Wien's displacement law, which states that the peak wavelength of blackbody radiation is inversely proportional to the temperature.

What is the relationship between wavelength and temperature for blackbody radiation?

The relationship between wavelength and temperature for blackbody radiation is described by Wien's displacement law, which states that the peak wavelength of blackbody radiation is equal to a constant (known as Wien's displacement constant) divided by the temperature in Kelvin.

How can \lambda_{max} be doubled with an increase in temperature?

To double the peak wavelength of blackbody radiation, the temperature must be increased by a factor of 2^4, or 16. This means that if the initial temperature was T, the new temperature would be 16T. This relationship is also known as the Stefan-Boltzmann law, which states that the total energy emitted by a blackbody is directly proportional to the fourth power of its temperature.

Why is it important to understand the relationship between temperature and blackbody radiation?

Understanding the relationship between temperature and blackbody radiation is crucial for a wide range of scientific fields, including astronomy, cosmology, and thermodynamics. It allows us to accurately measure the temperature of stars and other objects in space, as well as to design and improve technologies that rely on the emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation, such as solar panels and blackbody radiation sources.

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