Physics Help Home Page » Physics Help Glossary / Index »

Blackbody Radiation

Definition of Blackbody

An ideal blackbody is an object that absorbs all radiation that strikes it.

Definition of Blackbody Radiation

- the electromagnetic radiation emitted by a blackbody. Cool blackbodies emit mostly long wavelengths (microwave or infrared). As they heat up, blackbodies radiate more high energy (short wavelength) ultraviolet emissions.

Quantum Hypothesis

Planck developed an equation that accurately described blackbody radiation. The equation contained a term that became interpreted to mean that particles could only vibrate with discrete amounts of energy. This is the quantum hypothesis.

Blackbody Radiation Explained

The Birth of Modern Science