Questions: Question 5 The peak wavelength that an object emits determines the color we perceive and is based on an object's - chemical compsition temperature reflective properties charge

Question 5

The peak wavelength that an object emits determines the color we perceive and is based on an object's -
chemical compsition
temperature
reflective properties
charge

Transcript text: Question 5 The peak wavelength that an object emits determines the color we perceive and is based on an object's - chemical compsition temperature reflective properties charge

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Question

The question asks what determines the peak wavelength that an object emits, which in turn affects the color we perceive.

Step 2: Analyzing the Options

Chemical composition: This affects the specific spectral lines an object might emit or absorb, but not the peak wavelength of thermal emission.
Temperature: According to Wien's Displacement Law, the peak wavelength of thermal radiation emitted by an object is inversely proportional to its temperature.
Reflective properties: These affect how an object reflects light, not the peak wavelength it emits.
Charge: This does not directly affect the peak wavelength of emitted thermal radiation.

Step 3: Applying Wien's Displacement Law

Wien's Displacement Law states that the peak wavelength (\(\lambda_{\text{max}}\)) of the radiation emitted by a black body is inversely proportional to its temperature (T): \[ \lambda_{\text{max}} = \frac{b}{T} \] where \(b\) is Wien's displacement constant.