Temperature of filament using its area, power, and emissivity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the temperature of a filament using its emissivity and power, with a focus on the formula I_{tot} = σT^4. There is confusion regarding the correct emissivity value, with a debate on whether to use 26 or 0.26, leading to discrepancies in results. Participants question the accuracy of the book's provided answer and whether it affects subsequent calculations. Additionally, there is clarification on the relevance of the filament's surface area in the calculations, specifically regarding the exclusion of the pi r squared term due to the ends of the filament not being exposed. The conversation highlights the complexities of thermal calculations in practical applications like incandescent bulbs.
Fluxthroughme
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I have entered the emissivity in the calculation so that we can treat it as a blackbody, allowing us to use I_{tot} = \sigma T^4. My book tells me the correct answer is 2.06*10^4, which I'd normally put down to a misprint, but if I use my value, I get a value for the next part which is a factor of 10 off. So either I'm wrong, or they followed through with an error of theirs?

Thanks for any help.
 
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26 or 0.26 ?
 
CWatters said:
26 or 0.26 ?

e = 0.26 = \frac{26}{100}. Which is why there is a 26 on the bottom and a second 100 on the top.

Edit: If you don't understand why I have put e there, or why it's even in the calculation, I'd be fine if you could help me achieve the answer via a different method.
 
Sorry that was the only possible error I could see.
 
CWatters said:
Sorry that was the only possible error I could see.

Is this to say I should assume that the book has this answer wrong and, as a consequence, the other answer is wrong, too?

Either way, thank you :)
 
Fwiw, a typical temperature for an incandescent light bulb would be around 3000K. At 20000K the tungsten would evaporate.
Btw, you didn't need to add a pi r squared term. The ends of the wire are not exposed.
 
haruspex said:
Fwiw, a typical temperature for an incandescent light bulb would be around 3000K. At 20000K the tungsten would evaporate.
Btw, you didn't need to add a pi r squared term. The ends of the wire are not exposed.

Sorry, I don't understand why I don't need the pi r squared term? Isn't the fillament just a cylinder, so the radiations comes from the whole of the surface area?
 
Won't make much difference either way as the area of the ends is small.
 
Fluxthroughme said:
Sorry, I don't understand why I don't need the pi r squared term? Isn't the fillament just a cylinder, so the radiations comes from the whole of the surface area?
The ends of the filament will be the electrical connection into the circuit. They will leak a small amount of heat by conduction, perhaps more than would be lost by the same area through radiation, but you've no information on that.
 
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