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Black Body Radiation and Quantum Physics

Donald McGillivray

1987

Abstract

The ability of a body to radiate is closely related to its ability to absorb radiation, which is to be expected since any body which maintains a constant temperature is in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings, and therefore is absorbing energy at the same rate at which it is emitting energy. Good absorbers are therefore also good emitters. Matt black surfaces are the best absorbers and the best emitters of radiation, whereas polished silver surfaces are poor emitters and poor absorbers.

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