How does texture affect radiation

Shiny surfaces are poor absorbers and emitters but they are good reflectors of infrared radiation. If two objects made from the same material have identical volumes, a thin, flat object will radiate heat energy faster than a fat object. This is one reason why domestic radiators are thin and flat. Radiators are often painted with gloss paint, but they would be better at radiating heat if they were painted with matt paint instead.

Also, despite their name, radiators actually transfer most of their heat to a room by convection , not radiation.

How does the type of surface affect the amount of heat absorbed or radiated? Answer 1: Surfaces which are reflective absorb less heat because the incoming energy is reflected away.

Answer 2: When you talk about heat, it can be transported in three different ways: - Conduction: molecules crashing into each other, passing heat from a warm area to a colder area directly through a material - Convection: molecules carrying the energy through a liquid or gas - Radiation: heat being transferred by electromagnetic radiation light If two surfaces are in contact with each other, the contact between the two will help determine the ability for heat to transfer through conduction.

Click Here to return to the search form. Though your hands also radiate energy, the lamp radiates energy to your hands at a much higher rate and thus your skin has a net gain in energy and an increase in temperature. The appearance of a surface determines its rates of emission and absorption of radiation. In general, shiny coloured e. Dark coloured e.

It is interesting to note that a good emitter of radiation is also a good absorber of radiation and vice versa.