Kirchhoff law for absorption and emission of a gas

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Kirchhoff's extended law regarding the absorption and emission of gas at thermodynamic equilibrium, specifically the equation ελ(T,θ,φ) = Aλ(T, θ,φ). This equation asserts that the energy absorbed by a gas must be emitted isotropically at the same wavelength, meaning the emission occurs with equal probability in all directions. The distinction between reflection and emission is clarified, emphasizing that while reflection can be predicted directionally, emission is inherently probabilistic. The context provided involves a gas within an enclosure where the walls interact with photons through absorption and emission.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Kirchhoff's law in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with concepts of thermodynamic equilibrium
  • Knowledge of photon behavior in absorption and emission processes
  • Basic principles of reflection, particularly specular reflection
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of Kirchhoff's law in different thermodynamic systems
  • Explore the mathematical derivation of the equation ελ(T,θ,φ) = Aλ(T, θ,φ)
  • Investigate the role of scattering in gas absorption and emission
  • Examine real-world applications of Kirchhoff's law in spectroscopy
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Students and researchers in physics, particularly those focused on thermodynamics, spectroscopy, and the behavior of gases in thermal systems.

Carlos de Meo
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Hi Guys
I´m studying the absorption and emission phenomena of a gas and, according to Kirchhoff "extended" law, for a body at thermodynamic equilibrium, the following statement is true.
ελ(T,θ,φ) = Aλ(T, θ,φ).
So, if i understood correctly the meaning of this equation, The amount of absorbed energy must be emitted with the same probability at all direction at the same wavelength, is it correct?
If so, the only difference between reflection and emission at equilibrium (in therms of energy) is that i´m able to predict the direction of the reflected photon (assuming specular reflection) and for the absorption/emission phenomena, i can only say that it happens with the same probability through all direction?
Thank you very much for your time and patience
 
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Could you please give more details of the physical system you are considering?
 
Oh sure, sorry about that.
If we think an enclosure containing a gas inside. This system is already at thermodynamic equilibrium. The walls are reflecting, absorbing and emitting photons,the gas is absorbing and emitting (lets not talk about scattering at the moment). So if i apply the Kirchhoff equation for this system, it says that when a photon is absorbed, it should be emitted through all direction with the same probability at the same wavelength that it was absorbed?
 

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