Lab11 - Emissivity
Lab11 - Emissivity
Lab11 - Emissivity
Lab#: 11
Problem: Design an experiment to compare the emissivity (ratio of the total emissive power
of a body [E] to the total emissive power of a black body [Eb] at the same temperature: e =
E/Eb) of a surface for different colours.
Hypothesis: If the colours of cans of the same surface area vary then the emissive power of
each coloured will be different.
Apparatus/Material: Black, white, red, blue, yellow tin cans, stopwatch, oil, ruler, Vernier
calliper, thermometer, beaker, Bunsen burner, wire gauze, tripod stand, string.
Theory: Emissivity is a dimensionless quantity and is the relative ability of its surface to emit
energy by radiation. It is said that a true black body will have an emissivity of 1 while a real
object will have an emissivity less than 1. Emissivity depends on the temperature of the body,
the nature of the surface, size of the body and the nature of the body’s surroundings.
EH = mcΔϴ , where EH is heat energy, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat
capacity of the substance and Δϴ is the change in temperature. The rate of heat loss is given
by the equation.
When a substance emits energy, the emissive power (E) [the amount of energy radiated per
second per unit area, at a given temperature] depends on:
Procedure:
2. Use the Vernier calliper and the ruler to find the diameter (d) and the height (h) of the
can respectively and then calculate its surface area using the formula:
C*h + πd
Results:
Table Showing the Temperature of each Tin Can After 240 Seconds
Calculations:
1. Calculate the emissive power of each colour can using: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2).
2. Find the area of the tin: A = 2πrh + πr2
Name: Daniel Kelly
3. After plotting the graph temperature against time, use the gradient from the tangent at
300C and apply the equation: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2) ΔT/Δt
30
Gradient = ΔT/Δt
Time (s)
After the gradient is found, substitute the gradient in the formula: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2)
ΔT/Δt, where ΔT/Δt is the gradient m.
4. Since emissivity is emissive power divided unit area (EH/A), divide the emissivity by
the area of each can.
Variables:
Controlled – volume of oil in cans.
- Time at which the temperature was recorded.
Manipulated – the colours of the cans.
Responding – the temperature of the oil after 360s.
Precautions:
1. Ensure all fans are off and windows and doors are closed.