Factors affecting the emission and

absorption of radiation
Temperature difference between the object
and the surrounding
Everything is both an absorber and a radiator of
radiation.
An object absorbs radiation from the surroundings,
and emits radiation to the surroundings at the same time.
 Factors affecting the emission and
absorption of radiation
Temperature difference between the object
and the surrounding
Net energy transfer between a glass of water at Tw and its
surroundings at Ts:

The water is colder

than the surroundings.
Net energy gain
Temperature

a
Tw Ts

 Factors affecting the emission and
absorption of radiation
Temperature difference between the object
and the surrounding
Net energy transfer between a glass of water at Tw and its
surroundings at Ts:

The water is hotter

than the surroundings.
Net energy loss
Temperature

Net energy gain


a
Tw Ts

 Factors affecting the emission and
absorption of radiation
Temperature difference between the object
a
and the surrounding
Net energy transfer between a glass of water at Tw and its
surroundings at Ts:

Net energy gain Net energy loss Same temperature

No net energy flow

a
Tw Ts

 Factors affecting the emission and
absorption of radiation
b Colour
Other examples:

The car radiator is painted black so that it Fuel storage tanks are painted silvery
can lose energy quickly. white to reflect away energy from the sun
so that they will not overheat.

b

 Houses in Greek islands

Greece has very hot summers.

Explain briefly how the white
colour of their houses helps
keep indoor temperature low
during the daytime.
Objects in white are poor
absorbers of heat.
They reflect most of the energy of the sunlight
shining on them.
This keeps the inside of the houses cool.
5