As a black body gets hotter, the wavelength at which it radiates most strongly

  • A. gets longer
  • B. gets shorter
  • C. stays the same
  • D. becomes infinite

Explanation

Wien's displacement law says the peak wavelength is inversely proportional to absolute temperature, which is why heated iron glows dull red and then white as it gets hotter. The same law lets astronomers deduce a star's surface temperature from its colour. The total power radiated rises even faster, as the fourth power of temperature.

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