Black body radiation entropy question

In summary, the entropy of the radiation increases when it is in contact with a heat bath, but the entropy of the universe as a whole does not change.
  • #1
madorangepand
5
0

Homework Statement


An evacuated container with volume V and at a temperature T contains black body radiation with an energy density equal to 4[tex]\sigma[/tex]T4/c
I Determine the heat capacity at constant volume of the radiation
II Hence show that the entropy of the radiation is given by

S(T,V)=16[tex]\sigma[/tex]VT3/3c (can't seem to get the sigma to display correctly here)

III The container is placed in thermal contact with a heat bath at temperature Tr. If the heat capacity of the cavity material itself is negligible, show that the overall change in entropy of the universe after the system and heat bath have reached thermal equilibrium is

[tex]\Delta[/tex]Stot=(4[tex]\sigma[/tex]VTr3/3c)(1-t3(4-3t))

t= T/Tr

IV comment on the sign of [tex]\Delta[/tex]Stot as a function of t


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Have done I and II correctly. IV looks fine.
Just need a little nudge as to how I should start III, I just can't think of the appropriate formulae at the moment. So any links to references etc are greatly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Well, think about it this way: the total change in entropy of the universe comes from only two systems, the radiation and the heat bath. So you can calculate ΔStot as
[tex]\Delta S_{\text{tot}} = \Delta S_{\text{rad}} + \Delta S_{\text{bath}}[/tex]

To calculate the entropy change of the heat bath, recall the (well, a) definition of entropy:
[tex]\Delta S = \int_{T_i}^{T_f} \frac{\mathrm{d}Q}{T}[/tex]
Remember that the heat bath is at a constant temperature - how does that fact allow you to simplify the equation?

Calculating the entropy change of the radiation can be done in the patently obvious manner :wink: Recall the definition of the Δ symbol. Other than that, you already have the only formula you need.
 
  • #3
madorangepand said:
An evacuated container with volume V and at a temperature T contains black body radiation with an energy density equal to [tex]4\sigma T^4/c[/tex]
I Determine the heat capacity at constant volume of the radiation
II Hence show that the entropy of the radiation is given by

[tex]S(T,V)=\frac{16\sigma VT^3}{3c}[/tex]
(can't seem to get the sigma to display correctly here)
the latex "tex" tokens are intended be used on a separate line. For inline latex use "itex".

III The container is placed in thermal contact with a heat bath at temperature Tr. If the heat capacity of the cavity material itself is negligible, show that the overall change in entropy of the universe after the system and heat bath have reached thermal equilibrium is

[tex]\Delta S_{tot}=\left{(}\frac{4\sigma VT_r^3(1-t^3(4-3t))}{3c}\right{)}[/tex]

[tex]t= T/T_r[/tex]

IV comment on the sign of [itex]\Delta S_{tot}[/itex] as a function of t


The Attempt at a Solution


Have done I and II correctly. IV looks fine.
Just need a little nudge as to how I should start III, I just can't think of the appropriate formulae at the moment. So any links to references etc are greatly appreciated.
Keep in mind that entropy change is defined as the integral [itex]\int dQ/T[/itex] over the reversible path between two states. The reversible path would be one in which the cavity is cooled by means of a carnot heat engine operating between the cavity and the heat bath. In that case, the carnot engine absorbs heat at the cavity temperature (which decreases with heat flow) and the heat bath absorbs heat from the carnot engine at constant temperature.

AM
 
  • #4
Thanks guys, I knew it was just staring me in the face.
 
  • #5
i also have III as a homework question.
but it looks confusing cos it goes 1-t^3(4-3t)
please help
 

1. What is black body radiation?

Black body radiation refers to the thermal electromagnetic radiation emitted by a hypothetical object that absorbs all incoming radiation and reflects none. This type of radiation is produced by objects at a uniform temperature and follows a specific distribution based on their temperature, known as the Planck distribution.

2. How does black body radiation relate to entropy?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of black body radiation, entropy is related to the distribution of photons emitted by the object. As the temperature of the object increases, the number of photons and their distribution also increases, resulting in a higher entropy.

3. What is the relationship between temperature and black body radiation?

The intensity and distribution of black body radiation is directly related to the temperature of the emitting object. As the temperature increases, more photons are emitted and the peak of the radiation shifts to shorter wavelengths.

4. How does the Stefan-Boltzmann law relate to black body radiation?

The Stefan-Boltzmann law states that the total energy radiated by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. This means that as the temperature of a black body increases, the amount of radiation emitted also increases exponentially.

5. How is black body radiation measured?

Black body radiation can be measured using a spectrophotometer, which measures the intensity of radiation at different wavelengths. The resulting data can then be plotted on a graph to show the distribution of photons and calculate the temperature of the object emitting the radiation.

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