Blackbody radiation

Description

A theoretical radiator that emits a continuous spectrum of wavelengths with no individually distinct emission frequencies. The term 'blackbody' is based on the thermodynamic principle that any material that emits all wavelengths when it is hot must absorb all wavelengths when it is cold. The color of a totally absorbing material is black and thus the perfect emitter must be black.

Synonyms and Related Terms

Schwarzkrperstrahlung (Deut.); rayonnement de corps noir (Fr.); black body; Plankian radiator