Radiation: Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Earth
The Earth
Radiation
Radiation arrows
Image of the sun
Sun
Radiation from the sun is vital for life on earth.

Stefan-Boltzmann Law

:
The maximum radiation rate at which energy can be emitted from
a surface is given by:
where:
A
= Surface area perpendicular to heat transfer (m2)
σ
Ts
= Stefan-Boltzmann Constant = 5.67 x 10-8 W/(m2-K4)
= Absolute temperature of the surface (K)
The Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Radiation

is a mode of heat transfer that results from changes in the electronic configurations of atoms or molecules. The energy is emitted as

electromagnetic waves

or

photons

and does not need a medium to facilitate the energy transfer. All bodies above absolute zero emit energy in this manner. This type of radiation is called

thermal radiation

.
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Ch 4, Lesson B, Page 21 - Radiation: Stefan-Boltzmann Law