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RodB
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I'm currently in a debate elsewhere. I contend that the physical process of absorbing/emitting blackbody type radiation in a continuous spectrum is strictly a function of temperature, mitigated by characteristic of the substance called emissivity; and the absorption/emission of infrared radiation into a molecule's vibration and rotation energy is strictly a function of the physical makeup of a gas molecule (center of mass, bond length and strength, etc.) mitigated a bit by temperature ala the Boltzmann constant (and other quantum stats). And the physical processes are not the same. Generally meaning that the highly quantized molecular energy stores are not functioning as a blackbody with a very pecular highly discontinous emissivity of zero throughout the spectrum except a couple or so extremely narrow "bands" where it is "1".
What's anyone's thoughts? Know of a web accessible text or paper that discusses this specifically?
PS I know Planck radiation theory is used to help analyze atmospheric warming ala IR absorption, but that, IMO, is simply a (very helpful) construct.
What's anyone's thoughts? Know of a web accessible text or paper that discusses this specifically?
PS I know Planck radiation theory is used to help analyze atmospheric warming ala IR absorption, but that, IMO, is simply a (very helpful) construct.