A potter heats clay pots in a kiln.
The potter can estimate the temperature inside the kiln from the colour of the glow.
The Table shows some information.
Table
| Colour of glow | Approximate temperature in ∘C^{\circ}\text{C}∘C |
|---|---|
| no visible glow | below 500 |
| dull red | 600 |
| bright orange | 900 |
| yellow | 1100 |
| white | 1300 |
Describe the pattern shown in the Table.
Explain, in terms of the wavelengths of the radiation emitted, why the colour of the glow changes as the kiln gets hotter.
The potter says:
'When the kiln is below 500 ∘C500\ ^{\circ}\text{C}500 ∘C, it is not emitting any radiation.'
Explain why the potter is wrong.
An infrared sensor in the wall of the kiln measures the intensity of the infrared radiation reaching it.
Explain how the reading on the sensor changes as the kiln is heated from 600 ∘C600\ ^{\circ}\text{C}600 ∘C to 1300 ∘C1300\ ^{\circ}\text{C}1300 ∘C.
96 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Physics 5.3 Black body radiation, covering 5.3.1 Emission of radiation and temperature, 5.3.2 Radiation balance and constant temperature, and 5.3.3 The temperature of the Earth. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.