The Stefan-Boltzmann Law

Power is measured in Watts

Power is energy produced in 1
second W
2
m

Joseph Stefan thought about the power

produced per metre squared of a black
body
The Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Power
output
per
square P
metre
2
 T 4
Wm-2
m

Temperature K

Joseph Stefan (Austria 1879) found the

relationship between the temperature of a black
body and the power output per square metre
The Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Power
Output
Per This is a straight line
square graph the gradient is a
metre constant (σ) called the
(Wm-2) Stefan-Boltzmann
constant.

 p 
(Temperature)4  2
m  
4
T
 p  The Power of a STAR is called its
 2 luminosity

m  
T 4
P  AT 4

P
2
 T 4

m
P  T  m4 2

P  T  surface area
4
 P  T 4  surface area

Stars are just about spherical.

The formula for the surface area of a sphere

surface area  4r 2

P  4r 2T 4

Where σ is Stefan’s constant (5.7 x 10-8 Wm-2K-4)

 Calculating with Stefan’s Law
The Sun has surface temperature of 5800K. It’s radius is
6.96 x 108m. Calculate its power output.
( the Stefan constant is 5.7 x 10-8 Wm-2K-4)

The Sun like all stars is an almost spherical black body so:

P  4r 2T 4
P= 4π (6.96 x 108)2 x 5.7 x 10-8 x 58004
P = 3.91 x 1026W
 Calculating with Stefan’s Law
A star has a surface P  4r 2T 4
temperature of 4800K.
Its power output is known to r 2  P
be 3.2 x 1028 Watts. 4T 4
Calculate its radius
P
r
4T 4

3.2  10 28
r
4 (5.7  10 8 )  4800 4
Compare this with the radius of
the Sun r= 9.2 x 109m