Filename: Blackbody Radiation Thermal Emissivity

Thermodynamics

Name: Blackbody Radiation, Emissivity Silver and Painted Cans

Location:  L314

Equipment:  Half Painted Paint cans, Hot water, IR Thermometer

Two silver paint cans.  One is painted half black and the other is painted half white. The cans are 80% filled with hot water.  Use the IR thermometer to measure the outside temperature of the cans.  The silver side will measure a much lower temperature than the black side.  Silver has a much lower emissivity.  NOTE:  The same will be true for the can with the white side since the emissivity of black and white paint are very close in value in the IR range.