How stuff in empty space cools down?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around how objects lose heat when floating in space, particularly focusing on the mechanisms of heat loss, such as radiation. Participants explore the implications of thermal radiation and the conditions under which heat transfer occurs in a vacuum.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that heat loss in space occurs through radiation.
  • Others argue that heat loss requires a medium for energy transfer, suggesting that without surrounding matter, heat may not be lost.
  • A later reply emphasizes that light radiation carries energy away from the body, regardless of where it goes.
  • One participant introduces the concept of dark matter, noting that it does not emit light and does not cool down or transfer heat to regular matter.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of thermal radiation, with some clarifying that all objects above absolute zero emit infrared radiation, not just visible light.
  • Participants express confusion over terminology, particularly regarding the distinction between visible light and thermal radiation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are multiple competing views on the mechanisms of heat loss in space, particularly regarding the role of radiation and the conditions under which it occurs.

Contextual Notes

Some statements reflect uncertainty about the definitions of light and radiation, as well as the conditions under which different forms of radiation are emitted by objects.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring thermodynamics, astrophysics, or the properties of matter in space environments.

Quantum Velocity
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If a body have heat and floating in space do it loss heat?
If it does loss heat and the how?
Thanks!
 
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Quantum Velocity said:
If a body have heat and floating in space do it loss heat?
If it does loss heat and the how?
Thanks!
Radiation.
 
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I don't think it does. Heat loss requires something for the energy to transfer too.
 
BL4CKB0X97 said:
I don't think it does. Heat loss requires something for the energy to transfer too.

The light radiation streaming out in all directions carries energy away as @russ_watters said. Where the light goes to is irrelevant to the body.
 
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anorlunda said:
The light radiation streaming out in all directions carries energy away as @russ_watters said. Where the light goes to is irrelevant to the body.
Face palm

Forgot about light
 
BL4CKB0X97 said:
Face palm

Forgot about light
We can't forget about light(EM radiation) and still answer your question.
 
russ_watters said:
We can't forget about light(EM radiation) and still answer your question.
I didn't ask a question. I said I forgot about Em when I replied. Completely slipped my mind. Did you mean his question?
 
Actually there is one case where you can forget about light. Dark mattter.

Dark matter does not emit light. Dark matter near a galaxy does not cool down, nor does it transfer heat to regular matter.

But if the OP question is about ordinary matter rather than dark matter, the answer radiation stands.
 
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BL4CKB0X97 said:
I didn't ask a question. I said I forgot about Email when I replied. Completely slipped my mind. Did you mean his question?
Sorry, misread forget for forgot and forgot who was who...
 
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  • #10
russ_watters said:
Sorry, misread forget for forgot and forgot who was who...
No problem. My autocorrect changed Em to email. Just not my day, I think.
 
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  • #11
anorlunda said:
Actually there is one case where you can forget about light. Dark mattter.

Dark matter does not emit light. Dark matter near a galaxy does not cool down, nor does it transfer heat to regular matter.

But if the OP question is about ordinary matter rather than dark matter, the answer radiation stands.
Hah, totally what I meant.

xD
 
  • #12
But where the light come from
 
  • #13
Quantum Velocity said:
But if there is no light around the object

The more energy something has, the more photons it releases. Like fire, which is effectively really hot air, so hot it is red. Hence Red Hot.
 
  • #14
Quantum Velocity said:
But where the light come from

BL4CKB0X97 said:
The more energy something has, the more photons it releases. Like fire, which is effectively really hot air, so hot it is red. Hence Red Hot.
lets be really clear here
anorlunda said ...

anorlunda said:
The light radiation streaming out in all directions carries energy away as @russ_watters said. Where the light goes to is irrelevant to the body.

light radiation --- probably not the best choice of words as to the unwary that may mean specifically visible light
as @BL4CKB0X97 's response came back with

Everything above 0K emits infrared radiation ... you, me, everything, but we sure don't radiate heat as visible light
only when the object gets to a certain temperature will it start emitting visible light as wellD
 
  • #15
davenn said:
light radiation --- probably not the best choice of words as to the unwary that may mean specifically visible light
as @BL4CKB0X97 's response came back with

Everything above 0K emits infrared radiation ... you, me, everything, but we sure don't radiate heat as visible light
only when the object gets to a certain temperature will it start emitting visible light as well

Right @davenn . My choice of words was poor if the word "body" in the OP is a human body. But when I read it, I thought of a star as the body in space. @russ_watters one word answer "radiation" turns out to be most eloquent answer. :woot:
 
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  • #16
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  • #17
Drakkith said:
Thermal radiation (which includes light if the object is hot enough) is emitted from any object warmer than absolute zero: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_radiation

great minds think alike
thanks for the backup :smile:
 
  • #18
davenn said:
great minds think alike
thanks for the backup :smile:

I do what I can. :-p
 
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  • #19
Well thank all of you for helping me now i understand and found what I am looking for.
Thank you verry much!
 
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