Name: Daniel Kelly

Lab#: 11

Date given: March 1, 2019

Title: Emissivity (P&D)

Problem: Design an experiment to compare the emissivity (ratio of the total emissive power
of a body [E] to the total emissive power of a black body [Eb] at the same temperature: e =
E/Eb) of a surface for different colours.

Hypothesis: If the colours of cans of the same surface area vary then the emissive power of
each coloured will be different.

Apparatus/Material: Black, white, red, blue, yellow tin cans, stopwatch, oil, ruler, Vernier
calliper, thermometer, beaker, Bunsen burner, wire gauze, tripod stand, string.

Theory: Emissivity is a dimensionless quantity and is the relative ability of its surface to emit
energy by radiation. It is said that a true black body will have an emissivity of 1 while a real
object will have an emissivity less than 1. Emissivity depends on the temperature of the body,
the nature of the surface, size of the body and the nature of the body’s surroundings.

The heat energy absorbed of given out by a substance is given by:

EH = mcΔϴ , where EH is heat energy, m is the mass of the substance, c is the specific heat
capacity of the substance and Δϴ is the change in temperature. The rate of heat loss is given
by the equation.

ΔEH / Δt = mc (Δϴ/Δt), Δϴ/Δt is the rate of change of temperature.

Emissive power, E = M1C1 + M2C2

When a substance emits energy, the emissive power (E) [the amount of energy radiated per
second per unit area, at a given temperature] depends on:

• The temperature of the body.

• The nature of the surface

• The size of the body

• The nature of the surroundings.

 Name: Daniel Kelly

Procedure:

1. Measure the mass of the black can (M1).

2. Use the Vernier calliper and the ruler to find the diameter (d) and the height (h) of the
can respectively and then calculate its surface area using the formula:

area of rectangle (A) + circumference of circle (C)

C*h + πd

3. Measure the mass of 100 ml of oil in the black can (M2).

4. Set up the apparatus as seen in the diagram.

5. Heat the oil to 1000C.

6. Start the stopwatch.

7. Record the temperature every 30 seconds for 240 seconds.

8. Plot the graph of temperature against time.

9. Repeat steps 1-7 with other coloured cans.

Results:

Table Showing the Temperature of each Tin Can After 240 Seconds

Colours of Time (s)

Cans 0 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240
Temperature (oC)
Black
White
Red
Blue
Yellow

Calculations:
1. Calculate the emissive power of each colour can using: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2).
2. Find the area of the tin: A = 2πrh + πr2
 Name: Daniel Kelly

3. After plotting the graph temperature against time, use the gradient from the tangent at
300C and apply the equation: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2) ΔT/Δt

Curve Under Graph

Temperature (0C)

30

Gradient = ΔT/Δt

Time (s)

After the gradient is found, substitute the gradient in the formula: EH = (m1c1+ m2c2)
ΔT/Δt, where ΔT/Δt is the gradient m.
4. Since emissivity is emissive power divided unit area (EH/A), divide the emissivity by
the area of each can.

Variables:
Controlled – volume of oil in cans.
- Time at which the temperature was recorded.
Manipulated – the colours of the cans.
Responding – the temperature of the oil after 360s.

Sources of Errors / Limitations:

1. Environmental – heat lost to the environment.

Precautions:
1. Ensure all fans are off and windows and doors are closed.