Department of Chemical Engineering

School of Engineering and Architecture

Saint Louis University

LABORATORY REPORT EVALUATION SHEET

Laboratory Course: CHE 425 Schedule: 7:30 – 10:30 Daily

Experiment Number: 8
Experiment Title: STEFAN-BOLTZMANN LAW
Group Number: 4 Date Performed: 06 July 2017
Group Members: Feria, Gabriel V. Date Submitted: 17 July 2017
Ariaga, Nichelle Anne A.
Caw-is, Imee Mejia, Gladice Ann
Estillore, Hazel Diane L. Tabangin, Krystine Ayra C.
Legaspi, Marry Angelique M.
CONTENTS TOTAL REMARKS SCORE
POINTS
I. Abstract 10
II. Chapter 1: Introduction 15
III. Chapter 2: Design and Methodology 10
IV. Chapter 3: Results and Discussion 20
V. Chapter 4: Conclusion and 10
Recommendation
VI. References 5
VII. Appendices 15
a. List and Uses of Apparatus
b. Definition of Terms
c. Computations
d. Problems
VIII. Table of Contents / List of Tables / 5
List of Figures
IX. Format and Neatness 10
TOTAL POINTS: 100 SCORE: ______

Evaluated by: Engr. Ray Limuel C. Laureano Date: _____________

 STEFAN-BOLTZMANN LAW

An Experimental Study Presented to the

Faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering
School of Engineering and Architecture
Saint Louis University

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

By
Feria, Gabriel V.

July 2017

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We are grateful to our dear instructor, Engineer Ray Limuel C. Laureano, who has guided us

throughout the experiment.

We are also grateful to our laboratory technicians, who have provided us all the apparatus that

we used in the experiment.

We are also grateful to our classmates for the support and assistance.

And finally, for a great teamwork of the group, good job!

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE 2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

LIST OF TABLES 5

LIST OF FIGURES 6

ABSTRACT 7

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION 9

Chapter 2: DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 11

Chapter 3: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 13

Chapter 4: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 15

REFERENCES 16

APPENDICES 17

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1. Data for stefan-boltzmann law 13

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2.1. Radiation Apparatus 12

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 ABSTRACT

Stefan–Boltzmann law, statement that the total radiant heat energy emitted from a surface is

proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. You can use the Stefan-Boltzmann

constant to measure the amount of heat that is emitted by a blackbody. The apparatus used was

Radiometer which is an infrared radiation detector or ultraviolet detector. A microwave

radiometer operates in the microwave wavelengths. The temperature differences increases the

radiometer reading also increases. These attest the direct proportionality between temperature

difference and radiometer reading. Also, it proves that the intensity of radiation varies directly

with the fourth power of temperature.

Keywords: Radiometer, Stefan–Boltzmann law

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Stefan–Boltzmann law, statement that the total radiant heat energy emitted from a surface

is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature. Formulated in 1879 by Austrian

physicist Josef Stefan as a result of his experimental studies, the same law was derived in 1884

by Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann from thermodynamic considerations: if E is the radiant

heat energy emitted from a unit area in one second and T is the absolute temperature (in degrees

Kelvin), then E = σT4, the Greek letter sigma (σ) representing the constant of proportionality,

called the Stefan–Boltzmann constant. This constant has the value 5.6704 × 10−8 watt per

metre2∙K4. The law applies only to blackbodies, theoretical surfaces that absorb all incident heat

radiation. You can use the Stefan-Boltzmann constant to measure the amount of heat that is

emitted by a blackbody. Physicists have determined that a blackbody is an object that absorbs

100 percent of the radiant energy striking it, and if it’s in equilibrium with its surroundings, it

emits all the radiant energy as well.

In terms of reflection and absorption of radiation, most objects fall somewhere between

mirrors, which reflect almost all light, and blackbodies, which absorb all light. The middle-of-

the-road objects absorb some of the light striking them and emit it back into their surroundings.

Shiny objects are shiny because they reflect most of the light, which means they don’t have to

emit as much heat radiantly into the room as other objects. Dark objects appear dark because

they don’t reflect much light, which means they have to emit more as radiant heat (usually lower

down in the spectrum, where the radiation is infrared and can’t be seen).

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 The Stefan–Boltzmann law describes the power radiated from a black body in terms of its

temperature. Specifically, the Stefan–Boltzmann law states that the total energy radiated per unit

surface area of a black body across all wavelengths per unit time (also known as the black-body

radiant emittance or radiant exitance), is directly proportional to the fourth power of the black

body's thermodynamic temperature.

The purpose of this experimental study is to show that the intensity of radiation varies as

the fourth power of the source temperature.

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 CHAPTER 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

Experimental procedure:

In this experimental study, the group needed the assistance of the Laboratory Technician

as well as the Supervising Instructor. First, the laboratory technician prepared the radiometer

apparatus and set the equipment up for this experiment. Before the group used the apparatus it

was required to set the power control to wide position and then the groups allowed

approximately 15 minutes for the heater to reach a stable temperature before beginning the

experiment. The group then set to maximum the power control on the instrument console. It was

followed by setting to initial values of variables to be used, that is: Distance from radiometer to

black plate (X) = 200 mm and distance from the black plate to heat source (Y) = 50 mm. Next

step was to record the temperature reading (T) and radiometer reading (R) at ambient conditions

then for selected increments of increasing temperature up to maximum within a practical range.

It was noted that both readings should be noted simultaneously at any given point. Finally, the

group waited while the black plate temperature was stabilized between each increase of the

heater power control the reflective disc is placed in the radiometer aperture to prevent heating

effects and zero drift.

Experimental Set-up

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 Drawn by: Gabriel V. Feria
Figure 2.1. Radiometer Apparatus

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 CHAPTER 3

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The purpose of this experimental study is to show that the intensity of radiation varies as

the fourth power of the source temperature.

Table 3.1. Data for stefan-boltzmann law

Group 1

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

8.5 111.7 81 364.45 297.65 798.8042 896.6700 19.1806

8 91.3 86 384.85 297.65 555.3029 952.0200 61.4743

Group 2

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

7.5 74.30 60 347.45 297.15 384.3034 664.2 72.8322

7 83.50 79 358.65 297.15 496.1051 874.53 76.2792

Group 3

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

6.5 73.5 44 346.65 2976.65 379.6715 487.08 28.2899

6 88 55 361.15 296.65 525.5071 608.85 15.8595

Group 4

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

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 5.5 72.9 41 346.05 297.15 371.0493 453.8700 22.3207

5 84.9 48 358.05 297.15 489.8400 531.3600 8.4762

Group 5

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

4.5 70 35 343.15 297.15 344.1325 387.45 12.5874

4 68 33 341.15 297.15 325.9625 365.31 12.0712

Group 6

Power Temperature Radiometer TS (K) Ta (K) Qb Percent

Reading (Ta) Reading (R) Difference

3.5 54.5 29 327.65 29615 217.3384 321.03 54.5

3 52.6 22 325.75 296.15 202.3111 243.54 52.6

Based on the data gathered by group number four, it was observed that as the temperature

differences increases the radiometer reading also increases. These attest the direct proportionality

between temperature difference and radiometer reading. Also, it proves that the intensity of

radiation varies directly with the fourth power of temperature.

In addition, theory states that the heat flux obtained in methods one and two must be

equal. However, results showed that inaccuracies are encountered and hence causing a deviation

at approximately 10-23 percent differences between the two. Despite of which, it is concluded

that the said relationship was proven correct and justified through the experiment.

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 CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

In this experimental study the group can attest that that the intensity of radiation varies

directly with the fourth power of temperature the temperature differences increases the

radiometer reading also increases. Theory states that the heat flux obtained in methods one and

two must be equal. However, for this experimental study a 10-23 percentage difference was

found. Moreover, the relationship between heat flux and temperature was justified and proven.

The students then recommend that in using the radiometer make sure that measuring the

distance is necessary to prevent high percent differences. It is believed that the inaccuracy was

causes cause by improper measuring of data. A keen eye from the group is also needed for

accurate reading of the required data.

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REFERENCES

 The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica, “Stefan–Boltzmann law” .Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/science/Stefan-Boltzmann-law. Retrieved on July 09, 2017.

 Steven Holzner,“Heat Emission from a Blackbody Using the Stefan-Boltzmann

Constant”. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/education/science/physics/how-to-

calculate-heat-emission-from-a-blackbody-using-the-stefan-boltzmann-constant/.

Retrieved on July 09, 2017.

 Stefan, J. (1879), "Über die Beziehung zwischen der Wärmestrahlung und der

Temperatur". Retrieved from .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan%E2%80%93Boltzmann_law. Retrieved on July 09,

2017.

 Boltzmann, L. (1884), "Ableitung des Stefan'schen Gesetzes, betreffend die

Abhängigkeit der Wärmestrahlung von der Temperatur aus der electromagnetischen

Lichttheorie" Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan%E2%80%93Boltzmann_law. Retrieved on July 09,

2017.

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 APPENDICES

APPENDIX A

Definition of Apparatus

Radiometer Apparatus - A radiometer or roentgenometer is a device for measuring the radiant

flux (power) of electromagnetic radiation. Generally, a radiometer is an infrared radiation

detector or ultraviolet detector. A microwave radiometer operates in the microwave wavelengths.

"Sealed source device" means equipment or a gauge, instrument or device that contains a sealed

radioactive source and permits the controlled emission of radiation, but does not include a

container used solely for the storage or transport of a sealed radioactive source.

Thermometer - is a device that measures temperature or a temperature gradient. A thermometer

has two important elements: (1) a temperature sensor (e.g. the bulb of a mercury-in-glass

thermometer) in which some physical change occurs with temperature, and (2) some means of

converting this physical change into a numerical value (e.g. the visible scale that is marked on a

mercury-in-glass thermometer). Thermometers are widely used in industry to control and

regulate processes, in the study of weather, in medicine, and in scientific research.

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 APPENDIX B

Definition of Terms

STEFAN-BOLTZMANN LAW - statement that the total radiant heat energy emitted from a

surface is proportional to the fourth power of its absolute temperature.

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 APPENDIX C

Computations

Sample Computation for group number 4

Computations:
Qemitted
1st Method
W
Qb = σ (Ts4 – Ta4); σ = 5.67040 x 10-8 m2 −K4
 at power setting equivalent to 5
Qb = (5.67040 x 10-8) (346.054 – 297.154) = 371.0493 W/m2

 at power setting equivalent to 5.5

Qb = (5.67040 x 10-8) (358.054 – 297.154) = 489.8400 W/m2

2nd Method
 at power setting equivalent to 5
Qb = 11.07 (41) = 453.8700 W/m2

 at power setting equivalent to 5.5

Qb = 11.07 (48) = 531.3600 W/m2

Percent Difference
 at power setting equivalent to 5
453.87−371.0493
% diff = x 100 % = 22.3207 %
371.0493
 at power setting equivalent to 5.5
531.36−489.8400
% diff = x 100 % = 8.4762 %
489.8400

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