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Stefan’s Constant
AIM :
Apparatus Used :
Formula Used :
Power (P) radiated by a hot surface depends on the temperature (T) of the surface according to
the relation:
P =A∗𝑇
Where A is a constant which depends upon the properties of the material used as follows:
A = ε*S*𝜎
Where ε is emissivity of the material of the cathode
S is surface area of cathode and
𝜎 is the Stefan’s constant
n the exponent of temperature has a value of 4 theoretically. Here we shall determine n
experimentally to calculate 𝜎.
Stefan’s Constant
Theory:
If the power losses due to conduction and convection are neglected then power (P) radiated by a hot
surface definitely depends on the temperature of the surface according to the relation:
P∝𝑇 (where T is the temperature of the body in Kelvin )
P = A ∗ 𝑇 …………………………….…(1)
Or, log P = log A + n log T .………..…..(2)
A = ε*S*𝜎 …………….……….….(3)
Where ε , the emissivity of the material of cathode, is less than unity because it is not a black body.
S is surface area of cathode = 2𝜋𝑟𝑙 (r is the radius of cylindrical cathode & 𝑙 the length of
cathode).
𝜎 is Stefan’s constant which is independent of the material used.
Cathode is heated by passing electric current through the tungsten heater filament .Temperature of the
filament can be determined using known resistance (R), temperature(T) relationship for tungsten. Since
the cathode sleeve and the heater filament are in close physical contact, we can take the temperature of
the cathode to be the same as that of the filament.
Thus the operating temperature of the filament can be determined from measurement of the electrical
resistance of the filament. Power radiated and hence resistance can be found out as:
P = Vf*If watts
RT = ohms
Once the resistance is calculated it is convenient to use a graph drawn T vs (RT/R300) for determination
of filament temperature . This graph can be drawn using data of Table 1 available for ready reference for
a tungsten filament.
Table 1
RT /R300 vs T for Tungsten ; R300= 0.6 ohms for Tungsten
S. No. RT /R300 To K
1. 1 300
2. 4 920
3. 6 1300
4. 8 1645
5. 10 1990
Applying Stefan’s law to the heated cylindrical cathode we can determine Stefan’s constant from the
knowledge of the surface area and the emissivity of the cathode which is less than unity in this case,
because the radiation is not from an ideal black body.
Method :
1. Put the voltmeter range switch at 1.2 V or 1.0 V position and the voltage control knob ( Marked
control VF) at minimum i.e. at the extreme left position.
Department of Physics, IIT Roorkee ©
2
Experiments for B. Tech. 1st Year Physics Laboratory
Stefan’s Constant
2. Connect the set-up to the main’s and switch ‘ON’.
3. Apply some filament voltage Vf say 0.2, 0.4 , 0.6, 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 ..... 5 V to the filament and
measure the corresponding filament current If in the ammeter displayed during steady-state
condition.
NOTE: For steady state condition the time difference between each reading of V f should be about 20
to 30 sec. minimum.
Observations:
Table - 2
S.No Filament RT = Vf/ If P= Vf* If RT/R300 ToK Log T Log P
Voltage Vf Current If (ohms) (watts) =RT/0.6 (from.graph1)
(volts) (Amp)
1. 0.2
2. 0.4
3. 0.6
4. 0.8
5. 1.0
6 1.5
7. ..
12. 4.5
13. 5.0
Calculation
Stefan’s Constant
4. Calculate log T and log P and Plot a straight line graph between log P and log T (graph 2) .
log P
Calculate the slope ‘n’as n
log T
5. Read X intercept directly. Calculate Y intercept as Yintercept = slope * Xintercept
6. Now by equating Yintercept = Log A [equation (2)].
& calculate the value of Stefan’s constant equation (3).
Result:
Precautions:
Stefan’s Constant
GRAPH - 1