The Black Body

A black body is an idealized object that absorbs all electromagnetic radiation that hits it, regardless of frequency or angle, and emits radiation solely based on its temperature. It doesn't reflect or transmit any energy. The radiation emitted, called black-body radiation, has a characteristic distribution that shifts with temperature—hotter black bodies emit more energy at shorter wavelengths (like blue), while cooler ones emit at longer wavelengths (like red). This concept helps scientists understand how objects emit heat and light, and forms the basis for various fields including astrophysics, thermodynamics, and technology.