Date: 3/13/2022

Title: Planning and Design

Lab#: 12

Topic: Emissivity

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

Hypothesis: The black can will have the highest emissivity while the white can will have the
lowest.

Theory:

The heat energy absorbed or given out by a substance is given by E H =mcΔθ , (explain the meaning of
each term given in the equation). Also , the rate of loss of heat given out is given by
Δ EH Δθ Δθ
=mc , w h ere , ,is t h e rate of c h ange of temperature .
Δt Δt Δt

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

1. The temperature of the body

2. The nature of the surface
3. Size of the body
4. The nature of the surroundings.
5. The quantity of heat lost per second by the container and water at a given temperature θ is
EH Δθ
calculated by =(m1 c 1 +m2 c2 ) at θ
Δt Δt
6. Where, m1 c1 are the mass and specific heat capacity of water, and m 2 c2 mass and specific heat
capacity of calorimeter.

Aim: To determine the effect the color on the emissivity of an object

Materials and Apparatus: Black tin can, white tin can and red tin can of same size, a sensitive
thermometer, stands, water, beaker, heat source, vernier caliper
Method:

1. Collect a black tin can and record its mass using a digital balance, mc.
2. Use vernier calipers to find the diameter of the base of the can twice, d1 and d2.
3. Use a beaker to add 50cm3 of water to the can.
4. Record the mass of the water and can together using a digital balance, mcw.
5. Use the thermometer to read the initial temperature of the water, T1.
6. Place the can on a stand and mesh then align a Bunsen Burner under the can and ignite
the Bunsen Burner.
7. Make a record of the temperature every 30 seconds for three minutes.
8. Plot a graph of temperature against time.
Δθ Δ EH Δθ
9. Use the gradient from the graph, in the equation =mc to calculate the rate of
Δt Δt Δt
heat absorbed.
10. Calculate the emissivity
11. Repeat steps 1- 10 using a red and white can

Variables

Controlled: Material of can, Area, Mass of water, Time being heated

Manipulated: Color of the can

Responding: Emissivity

Data Collection:

TABLE SHOWING THE COLLECTION OF DATA FROM THE PROCEDURE FOR

THE CALCULATION OF EMMISIVE POWER

Color Mass Mass Mass of 1st 2nd Mean Mean Height Area
of of of the the Water Diameter Diameter Diameter Radius of the (2πr(r
Can the Can (mcw – mc) Reading Reading (d) m (r) m Can + h))
Can and kg (d1) m (d2) m (h) m m2
(mc) Water
kg (mcw)
kg
Black
Red
White
 TABLE SHOWING THE RECORDINGS OF THE TEMPERATURE CHANGE OVER
THREE MINUTES

Color of Can Initial Temperature of Temperature (θ ) °C Change in time ( Δt ) s

the Water (TI) °C
30
60
Black 90
120
150
180
30
60
Red 90
120
150
180
30
60
White 90
120
150
180

Expected Results

The black can will have the highest emissivity, the emissivity of the red can will fall in the
middle, while the emissivity of the white can will be the lowest.

Calculations

Calculate the gradient

Δθ
Δt

Calculate the rate of heat absorbed.

Δ EH Δθ
=mc
Δt Δt
Calculate the rate of heat loss

Treatment of Results

If the black tin emits the most heat energy through heat loss, the white the least and the red can
in between the white and black cans, the hypothesis is correct. This proves that the hypothesis is
correct by showing that the darker the color the more heat is absorbed and emitted.

Limitations:

This procedure is limited by the precision of the data gathered as while through the use of the
procedure the order of emissivity of the cans can be gathered the exact amount the color affects
the emissivity cannot be gathered.

Precautions

1. All fans should be turned off, all doors closed an all windows closed as well as to limit
environmental errors from affecting the experiment.
2. Ensure when taking the reading using the vernier caliper to take readings at eye level to
reduce the chance of parallax error from affecting the readings.