Understanding Stefan's Law for Students in Class 11

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SUMMARY

Stefan's Law states that the energy radiated per unit area per unit time by a black body is proportional to the absolute temperature raised to the fourth power. In discussions about the law, it is clarified that a body will still radiate energy even when surrounded by a higher temperature environment, resulting in a net heat gain. The emissivity of the object is the primary focus in Stefan's Law, as it determines the amount of heat radiated, while the emissivity of the surroundings is not considered. Additionally, the concept of "view factor" is introduced as a determinant of how much radiation reaches another object.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics principles
  • Familiarity with black body radiation concepts
  • Knowledge of emissivity and its significance
  • Basic grasp of heat transfer mechanisms
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical formulation of Stefan's Law
  • Explore the concept of emissivity in detail
  • Learn about the view factor and its applications in radiation heat transfer
  • Investigate the implications of thermodynamic laws in heat exchange scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics, as well as educators and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of heat transfer principles related to Stefan's Law.

Ayushi
Hello i am a new member of this forum. I am a student of class 11th. I came across a new law , 'Stefan's law', in my class. I did not understand it much. Could any of you help me to understand it please?
 
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What if it is surrounded by something of a temperature higher than itself? Would it still radiate energy? Won't that be against thermodynamic laws?
 
asdofindia said:
What if it is surrounded by something of a temperature higher than itself? Would it still radiate energy? Won't that be against thermodynamic laws?

It would still radiate heat, it is just that it would have a net heat gain.
 
Why does on Stefan's law only the emissivity of the object is used- why the emissivity of the surrounding is not taken into account?
 
Last edited:
GT1 said:
Why does on Stefan's law only the emissivity of the object is used- why the emissivity of the surrounding is not taken into account?

Because the object is radiating heat to the surroundings. So if the object it white, it will radiate less heat than if it were black.

How much radiation reaches another object depends on something called "view factor".
 

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