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Separate Physics · Paper 2 · Foundation + Higher · P6

Black bodies and thermal radiation

Key ideas1 of 3

Every object emits radiation

All objects emit and absorb infrared radiation, including objects that are too cool to glow visibly. A hotter object emits more infrared energy in a given time than the same object at a lower temperature. Radiation transfers energy without requiring a material medium. Feeling radiation from a warm object does not mean that air particles have travelled from that object to your skin.

Surface A is at 20 degrees Celsius and B at 80 degrees Celsius.

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Foundation + Higher · P6. Use alongside the shared P6 lessons.

AQA GCSE Physics 8463 · 4.6.3.1 · 4.6.3.2. Original notes, questions and diagrams. Models are simplified; teaching data are illustrative.