Change in radiation with temperature

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the increment in heat energy radiated when the temperature of a hot body is raised by 5%. The initial approach using the differential equation dP/P = 4dT/T is questioned, as the exact ratio of initial and final values should be used instead. It is noted that while the approximation method can provide quick estimates, it becomes less accurate with larger errors, particularly due to the fourth power relationship in the equation. Participants emphasize the importance of using precise calculations for accurate results, especially in time-sensitive situations like exams. The conversation concludes with an acknowledgment of the value of both methods depending on the context.
Krushnaraj Pandya
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Homework Statement


What would be the increment in heat energy radiated when the temperature of a hot body is raised by 5%?

Homework Equations


P=σεAT^4

The Attempt at a Solution


dP/P=4dT/T dT=5 when T is 100 initially. Let's assume P was also 100 initially for convenience, therefore dP should be 20, but the answer given is 21.55%, where am I wrong and what's the correct way to approach this?
 
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You could just make the ratio of the initial and final values, since the differential change is not asked.

Edit: Shouldn't it read ##\frac{P+dP}{P}=\left(\frac{T+dT}{T}\right)^4##?
 
Last edited:
stockzahn said:
You could just make the ratio of the initial and final values, since the differential change is not asked.

Edit: Shouldn't it read ##\frac{P+dP}{P}=\left(\frac{T+dT}{T}\right)^4##?
I got what you wrote, but using errors method can't we write dP/P = 4dT/T as well. For example in measuring the change in time period of pendulum on changing length. Since T∝L^0.5 we write ΔT/T = ΔL/2L
 
Krushnaraj Pandya said:
I got what you wrote, but using errors method can't we write dP/P = 4dT/T as well. For example in measuring the change in time period of pendulum on changing length. Since T∝L^0.5 we write ΔT/T = ΔL/2L

Is suppose an error af 5 % cannot be considered as small anymore. Try it with smaller errors (like ##10^{-5}##), then your method works very well.
 
stockzahn said:
Is suppose an error af 5 % cannot be considered as small anymore. Try it with smaller errors (like ##10^{-5}##), then your method works very well.
So this method should give me an approximation of the error in any case, correct? (Time is invaluable in multiple choice exams)
While taking the ratio gives the exact values
 
Krushnaraj Pandya said:
So this method should give me an approximation of the error in any case, correct? (Time is invaluable in multiple choice exams)
While taking the ratio gives the exact values

But the approximation gets worse with increasing error, in your case (fourth power):

error - exact - approximation
##10^{-6}## - 0.000004 - 0.000004
##10^{-5}## - 0.000040001 - 0.00004
##10^{-4}## - 0.00040006 - 0.0004
##10^{-3}## - 0.004006004 - 0.004
##10^{-2}## - 0.04060401 - 0.04
##5\cdot10^{-2}## - 0.21550625 - 0.2

It depends on your application if the approximation is sufficient
 
stockzahn said:
But the approximation gets worse with increasing error, in your case (fourth power):

error - exact - approximation
##10^{-6}## - 0.000004 - 0.000004
##10^{-5}## - 0.000040001 - 0.00004
##10^{-4}## - 0.00040006 - 0.0004
##10^{-3}## - 0.004006004 - 0.004
##10^{-2}## - 0.04060401 - 0.04
##5\cdot10^{-2}## - 0.21550625 - 0.2

It depends on your application if the approximation is sufficient
Oh, alright. Thank you very much
 
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