An object that absorbs all radiation falling on it, at all wavelengths, is called a blackbody.
- A blackbody is a theoretical concept for an object that completely absorbs all electromagnetic radiation, regardless of factors such as angle of incidence, wavelength, frequency, or amplitude.
- A perfect blackbody doesn’t exist in reality. However, certain objects and materials, such as stars and carbon in soot or graphite behave almost like blackbodies.
- When a blackbody emits electromagnetic radiation, the spectral distribution of the emissions is dependent on its temperature.
- The radiation emitted by a black body is known as blackbody radiation.
- Blackbody radiation is the type of electromagnetic radiation released by a body in thermodynamic equilibrium with its surroundings. This means that the body emitting the radiation is in a state where there is no net exchange of energy between the body and its environment.
- If enough heat is applied to a blackbody, it will begin to appear orange at a certain point, and as the temperature increases, it changes from white to pale blue and then to light blue.
- The study of blackbody radiation has practical applications in the development and testing of materials for lighting, heating, and thermal imaging equipment.
- Blackbody radiation is a cornerstone in the study of quantum mechanics.