Radiation and Thermal Conductivity - Lab Report Example

The third experiment involved the verification of Stefan Boltzmann law and the general realization was that there exists a direct proportionality between the intensity of radiation and the ration between emitter temperature and ambient temperature to factor four (?4). The fourth experiment involved an analysis of Aluminum and Stainless Steel. During the analysis the general realization was that the thermal conductivity of Aluminum was that the thermal conductivity of Aluminum. Introduction Radiation can be defined as the situation arising from the interaction involving heat between a system and the surrounding environment.

Consequently thermal radiation involves the study of the electromagnetic radiation emitted as a result of the temperature of the emitter with regard to the dual-wave particle nature of electromagnetic radiation (Mahan, 2002). According to Mahan, studies of Heat have led to the realization that heat is an energy that occurs as a result of energy variations between a system and its surroundings. The basis of the experiment was to conduct an analysis on the various characteristics of thermal radiation as a form of heat transfer and the characteristics are applicable in real life situations.

The objective of the first experiment was to study the relationship between the view factor designated F and the intensity of the radiation measured in terms of the temperature. The second experiment was aimed at validating the postulation that there exists an inverse proportionality relationship between the source of heat and the surface. The third experiment was aimed at validating the Boltzmann law which is mathematically expressed as: qb = O( Ts4 – Ta4 ) The fourth experiment was aimed at comparing the thermal conductivity of two different metals.

Literature Review Apart from conduction and convection heat can be transferred via radiation. The major difference between radiation and the other forms of heat transfer is that radiation can travel in a vaccum because unlike conduction and convection that require molecules, radiation does not require molecules. Radiation occurs via elecgtromagnetic waves. According to Theodore (2011) any system that has a temperature greater than absolute zero is an emitter of thermal radiation. Theodore outlines that the amount of radiation given out by a given system depends on both the temperature and the charatceristics of the surface.

In essence, the undertanding of thermal radiation requires an understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum. Electromagnetic radiation is an occurrence experienced when the atoms of a system become excited from their dormant state so that they acquire enough internal energy to begin emitting the radiation. Am example of a biological phenomenon that depends on radiation is sight. Although we are not able to see the electromagnetic waves our eyes are able to detect the waves and the ability allows us to percieve the images of the objects around us.

Although radiation can be approached from the particulate aspect, scientists have since found it more convenient to approach radiation from the wave aspect. According to Kubota (2007), scientists now approach radiation as involving emission of wavelengths by solid particles. In the study of black body radiation, scientists have also