Abhishek Verma

12110003

Experiment 7: Absorptivity of different materials

AIM: To determine the absorptivity of different materials.
APPARATUS: Thermometer, measuring cylinder, black, blue, white and silver
coloured surface of same surface area, stopwatch.
THEORETICAL BACKGROUND:
Electromagnetic waves are synchronized oscillations of electric and magnetic field
that propagate at speed of light. The oscillations of two fields are perpendicular to
each other and also they both are perpendicular to the direction of wave.
Electromagnetic waves has its own spectrum which includes gamma rays, x rays,
ultraviolet radiation, visible light, infrared radiation, microwave, radio wave. Our
naked eyes can see visible lights and we are able to see the colour which is reflected
by the surface. Red coloured surface reflects red light etc. Black surface is considered
that it doesnt reflect any light hence it appear black. So absorptivity of black coloured
surface is 1.
Absorptivity, =

Heat absorbed by surface, Q

Heat absorbed by black surface, Qb

PROCEDURE:
-

Apparatus was setup by keeping different colored surfaces aligned side by side.
Water was filled into the tank situated above the setup.
Thermometer was fixed at both inlet and outlet of each surfaces.
Each valve was opened and a uniform flowrate was maintained through each
valves.
After 10 minutes reading of each thermometer was taken down.
Repeat the above step to take 4-5 readings.

OBSERVATION:
Density of water = 1 gm/ml
Specific heat capacity of water = 4.186 J/g-oC

Abhishek Verma
12110003

Experiment 7: Absorptivity of different materials

Table 1.1:
Flow rates
(ml/s)
Inlet Temp (oC)

Outlet Temp
(oC)
Inlet Temp (oC)

Outlet Temp
(oC)
Inlet Temp (oC)

Outlet Temp
(oC)
Inlet Temp (oC)

Outlet Temp
(oC)

Black
1.03

Blue
0.98

White
0.94

Silver
1.02

41.5
48

41
46.85

43.25
46.8

43.5
46.75

42
48.5

42
48

43.25
47.75

44.5
47.25

42.5
49.25

42.25
48

43
47

43.25
46.2

43.25
50

43
49.5

44
49

44.25
48.75

Table 1.2:
Sr. No.

Temperature
Difference, T
(oC)
6.63
6.02
4.26
3.36

Black
Blue
White
Silver

Heat absorbed in
10 min, Q (Joules)

Absorptivity,

17151.47
14817.44
10057.45
8607.76

1
0.86
0.59
0.50

SAMPLE CALCULATION:
For Black,
-

Average temperature difference T = (50-43.25+49.25-42.5+48.5-42+48-41.5)/4

= 6.63 oC
Mass flowrate of liquid, m = 1.03 * 1 = 1.03 gm/s
Heat absorbed by the surface in 10 minutes, Qb = m*C* T*60*10 =
1.03*4.186*6.63*600 = 17151.47 J

Absorptivity

of

blue

14817.44/17151.47 = 0.86

surface,

Heat absorbed by surface, Q

Heat absorbed by black surface, Qb

Abhishek Verma
12110003

Experiment 7: Absorptivity of different materials

RESULTS:
From Table 1.2,
Absorptivity of Black surface = 1
Absorptivity of Blue surface = 0.86
Absorptivity of White surface = 0.59
Absorptivity of Silver surface = 0.5

CONCLUSION:
From Table 1.1 we can say that black body absorbs the maximum heat and silver coloured
body is a good reflector. We can get more accurate results of absorptivity by taking care of
some issues,
-

Temperature of surrounding should not be extremely high because it causes large

change in temperature which results in less number of readings.
Flowrate in each valve should be constant. The more it deviates in each valve the more
error it will cause.

PRECAUTIONS:
-

Check for all kind of leakage.

Make sure the tank doesnt become empty in between the experiment.