Stefan-Boltzmann Law

UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
HEAT TRANSFER LAB
Title: STEFAN-BOLTZMANN LAW
Experiment
The aim of experiment is to show that the intensity of radiation varies as the fourth power of
source temperature.
Equipment Set-up.
Heat
source

Black
plate

Set scale to 0
ie. normal to track
Radiometer

Temperature
reading T

Radiometer
reading R

ON switch
Reading X
Select thermocouple 1
with switch

Power
Control

The power control on the instrument console should be set to maximum for this experiment.
Summary of Theory
The Stefan-Boltzmann Law states that: qb (Ts4 T A4 )
Where: qb =
=
TS =
TA =

energy emitted by unit area of a black body surface (Wm-2)

(Note: energy emitted by surface = 2x5.59 x reading from radiometer R)
Stefan-Boltzmann constant equal to 5.67 x 10-8 (Wm-2K-4)
Source temperature of radiometer and surroundings (K)
Temperature of radiometer and surroundings (K)

Initial Values of Variables to be used

Distance from radiometer to heat source (X) = 110 mm
1

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Distance from black plate to heat source (Y) = 50 mm

Readings to be taken
Record the temperature reading (T) and radiometer (R) at ambient conditions then for selected
increments of increasing temperature up to maximum within a practical range. Both readings
should be noted simultaneously at any given point.
Procedure
1. Switch on the instrument and record the stable ambient temperature (TA) from the
instrument
2. Install the black plate in the carrier 50 mm in front of the heat source and place the
radiometer 200 mm in front of black plate
3. Select the thermocouple connected to black plate into the instrument with switch 1
4. Connect the wire which is connected to radiometer into the instrument
5. Set the power control to maximum
6. Record the temperature reading (Ts) and radiometer (R) at ambient conditions and then
for selected temperature range of 150 oC. Record these readings after temperature
becomes stable and record both readings simultaneously.
7. Switch off the power control
8. Calculate the power
9. Compare calculated values for qb if the emissivity of the black plate is unity and the
Stefan-Boltzmann relationship holds true (i.e. temperature to the fourth power) then the
calculated values should be the same that of theoretical value.

Constants
Take all temperature in Kelvin
Where K = C + 273.15 and = 5.674 x 10-8 Wm-2K-4

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Title: EMISSIVITY 1
Experiment
The aim of experiment is to determine the emissivity of different surfaces (polished, silver
anodized, matt black).
Equipment Set-up.

Heat
source
Temperature
reading T

Metal
plate

Set scale to 0
ie. normal to track
Radiometer

Radiometer
reading R

ON switch
Reading X
Select thermocouple 1
with switch

Power
Control

Transformer
or
A

or
B

Summary of Theory
Emissivity () is defined as a ratio of the total energy emitted by a surface to the total energy
emitted by a black surface at the same temperature. For real bodies is a function of the radiation
wave-length, the angle of incidence, the surface temperature and even the surface finish, but it is
generally practical to assume averaged values when making calculations. Tabulated values of
typical emissivities for various materials are to be found in published tests dealing with this
subject. Usually the emissivity is introduced as a multiplication constant in heat transfer
calculations. For example in the Stefan-Boltzmann law which is re-written:
qb (Ts4 T A4 )

Where = 5.67 x 10-8 (Wm-2K-4)

Note qb = 2x5.59x reading from radiometer.
Initial Values of Variables to be used

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Distance from radiometer to heat source (X) = 110 mm

Distance from heat source to nearest metal plate (Y) = 50 mm
Procedure
1. Install the polished plate in the carrier.
2. Vary the power to the heat source and record it. Measure the temperature (in units K) of
the metal plate (TS) and radiometer (R) at the various power settings.
3. Repeat the procedure for the silver anodized plate and matt black plate.
4. Calculate the emissivity for each power setting using the Stefan-Boltzmann equation
5. Calculate the emissivity for each power setting using the ratio (qb/q)
Contants
Take all temperature in Kelvin
For each plate in turn:
Where K = C + 273.15

Dr IRFAN

Date 08/09/2014