BLACK BODY RADIATION

PHYSICS REPORT

By: Rytney Electra S/ 11CHDP1

CITA HATI CHRISTIAN - WEST CAMPUS

A. Objectives
The purpose of this experiment is to measure the difference in heat (J) absorbed by black, grey, and white
colored bodies. Also to prove that black colored bodies work the best in absorbing heat.

B. Apparatus
1. 3 Cardboard, each 80x60cm
2. White, grey, and black spray paint
3. Ruler
4. UHU liquid glue
5. Scissors/ cutter
6. Thermometer
7. Timer

C. Hypothesis
Compared to other colors, the black colored box will have the highest temperature, which shows that black
colored bodies absorb heat the most. The white colored box will have the least temperature, which shows
that white colored bodies absorb the heat the least. The grey colored box will have the temperature in
between the black and the white boxes. This shows that it absorbs heat more than the white, however less
than the black. All of these happens because white color reflects all light, while black absorbs all light.

D. Variables
1. Control variable is what is held constant during an experiment. In this experiment, the control variable
is the area of the boxes, because it is held at constant which is 0.24m2
2. Independent variable is the variable whose change isn’t affected by another variable. In this experiment,
the independent variable is the time. The time isn’t held constant, however its change isn’t affected by
another variable.
3. Dependent variable is the variable which is measured and being studied. In this experiment, the
dependent variable is the temperature and the heat, since the temperature and heat are what we measure.

E. Procedures
1. Design three boxes (20x20cm) made of homogene material, such as
cardboard.
2. Color the boxes with black, grey, and white, using spray paint.
3. Use the thermometer to measure the temperature inside the box in the
room temperature (without AC)
4. Measure the temperature inside the boxes after 1 minute of sunlight
exposure.
5. Return temperature of the boxes to room temperature.
6. Repeat step 4 and 5 and increase 1 minute in every try (until 10
minutes).
7. Record the temperature measured.
8. Calculate the heat for 1-10 minutes.

F. Data and analysis

Table
BLACK (Room temperature: 27.6°C)
Time (second) Area of Absorbance (m2) Temperature (K) Heat (J)

60 303.3 6.95 x 104

120 307.7 1.47x104

180 308.1 2.22x104

240 308.8 2.99x104

300 309 3.74x104

0.24
360 309.2 4.5x104

420 308.8 5.22x104

480 309.4 6.02x104

540 309.8 6.08x104

600 309.4 7.52x104

GREY (Room temperature: 28°C)

Time (second) Area of Absorbance (m2) Temperature (K) Heat (J)

60 304.1 4.91x103

120 305.3 9.98x103

180 307.2 1.54x104

240 308.5 2.08x104

300 308.6 2.61x104

0.24
360 308.8 3.13x104

420 307.9 3.61x104

480 307.8 4.13x104

540 308.5 4.68x104

600 308.6 5.21x104

WHITE (Room temperature: 27.8°C)
Time (second) Area of Absorbance (m2) Temperature (K) Heat (J)

60 304.1 1.40x103

120 303.6 2.79x103

180 305 4.26x103

240 306.1 5.76x103

300 306.2 7.03x103

0.24
360 305.1 8.53x103
420 306.3 1.01x104

480 307.1 1.17x104

540 306.8 1.31x104

600 306.1 1.44x104

Calculation
Q = eσAT4t

Emissivity of black body is 1

Emissivity of grey body is 0.7
Emissivity of white body is 0.2

Q = Heat energy (Joules)

e = Emissivity
σ = Stefan-boltzmann constant
A = Total surface area of absorbance (m2)
T = Absolute temperature (Kelvin)
t = Time (second)

Discussion
According to the data obtained in the experiment, the black body has highest temperature compared to the
others. Meanwhile the white body has the lowest temperature compared to the others. This could happen
due to the characteristics of the black and white bodies. The black body absorbs all light with various
wavelengths then converts it to heat energy, while the white body reflects all light with various wavelengths.
This is why the black body has the most heat, while the white body has the least heat.

As the time is being added in each try, the temperature increases, since they both are directly proportional.
So, supposedly we obtain a data in which the temperature is always increasing. However, this is not shown
on the data we obtained (for example, the black box temperature on the 7 and 8 minutes) This is due to the
existence of some variables which we couldn’t possibly control, such as the weather conditions and outdoor
temperatures which is not always the same each time.
With the obtained data of the temperature, now we can begin to calculate the heat using the following
equations. Remember, we should make sure that the unit is the same as the ones written below.
We know that, the power formula is
P = eσAT4

P = Power radiated (Watt)

e = Emissivity
σ = Stefan-boltzmann constant
A = Total surface area of absorbance (m2)
T = Absolute temperature (Kelvin)

And the energy formula is

Q = Pt

Q = Heat energy (Joules)

P = Power radiated (Watt)
t = Time (second)

Therefore, the final formula used to calculate the heat being produced is
Q = eσAT4t

G. Application
This experiment shows that black surface absorbs heat better than white surface. Without us realizing,
currently many have applied this theory to our daily life, for example in term of clothes colors. Black
clothing might be the best option to wear during the winter. As it absorbs more heat, it works well on
keeping our body warm so that we won’t feel too cold. Meanwhile, white clothing is best to wear during
summer due to its characteristic on reflecting lights. Since it absorbs very little heat, it works very well on
keeping our body cool, so that we won’t sweat too much.

H. Synthesis
Now, we have proven that black body absorbs most heat. Therefore, a box with black color can be used as
a place to dry wet kitchen utensils or tableware after being washed (such as spoon, glass, and plate). This
box will have a side length of 40 centimeters each and a black color on both the inside and outside part of
the box.

Function:
The function of this design is in order to help dry the kitchen utensils or tableware faster. We know that
black absorbs heat best and traps heat in it, therefore it would really help in drying wet kitchen utensils or
tableware.

Apparatus required to design this box is:

- Cardboard box (40x40x40cm)
- Tape

Procedure:
1. Place the cardboard box outdoor, where there is direct hit of sunlight
2. Place the wet kitchen utensils/ tableware inside the box
3. Close the box and tape it, so that the heat trapped inside will not escape
4. Wait until a few minutes until they are all dried
Analysis:
The table below is the data obtained from the black cardboard box we measured.

Time (second) Area of Absorbance (m2) Temperature (K) Heat (J)

60 303.3 6.95 x 104

120 307.7 1.47x104

180 308.1 2.22x104

240 308.8 2.99x104

300 309 3.74x104

0.24
360 309.2 4.5x104

420 308.8 5.22x104

480 309.4 6.02x104

540 309.8 6.08x104

600 309.4 7.52x104

From the data, when a box with a surface area of 0.24m2 is exposed to sunlight for 10 minutes, the heat
energy produced is 7.52x104 J. From here, we can see that the box I designed will have approximately more
heat, since it has larger area of absorbance which is 0.96m2 (0.4x0.4x6). So, at least about 7.52x104 heat
will be produced which will help in drying the kitchen utensils/ tableware quicker.

I. Conclusion
The conclusion I made suits my hypothesis. This experiment proves that one of the factor influencing the
heat absorption of an object is their color. It shows that the black color absorbs the most heat, meanwhile
the white absorbs the least heat. The result of this experiment can be used and applied to our daily life. So,
when something is required to absorb a lot of heat we can paint it with black and when something is required
to stay cool then we can paint it with white.