Infrared Wavelength: Same Emission for All Materials?

[skikid]

Do different materials (i.e. granite, steel, water, etc.), all at the same temperature, emit the same infrared wavelength?

 

[zhermes]

Do different materials (i.e. granite, steel, water, etc.), all at the same temperature, emit the same infrared wavelength?

For the most part, yes. See 'kirchoff's[/PLAIN] law'

They will emit the same radiation if you think of them as perfect 'black bodies' (basically the simplest model of a thermal emitter). But materials are not perfect black bodies, and thus exhibit some differences in their spectra---largely from emission/absorption lines

 

[skikid]

Thank You.

 

[Naty1]

But they may not be observed [measured] as such when viewed from a distance, [redshift,blue shift] etc..

 

[sardar]

No, different materials emit different wavelengths of infrared radiation even when they are at the same temperature. This is because the infrared wavelength emitted by a material is dependent on its molecular structure and the energy levels of its atoms and molecules. For example, materials with more complex molecular structures, such as water, will emit a broader range of infrared wavelengths compared to simpler materials like steel or granite. Additionally, the chemical composition of a material can also affect its infrared emission, as different atoms and molecules have different energy levels and thus emit different wavelengths. Therefore, it is important to consider the specific material being studied when analyzing infrared emission.