Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: mcjhn on 30/06/2011 12:55:03

Title: How does a IR thermometer work?
Post by: mcjhn on 30/06/2011 12:55:03

was just wondering...

Do IR thermometers measure the temperature of an object via the intensity or wavelengths of emitted light?

I've heard that you can measure the temperature of clouds with them, why doesn't the IR light emitted by the air in between the cloud and the detector confuse it?

[**I've heard this can damage them] What happens you point one at the sun? or an old fashioned light bulb? (is it not sensitive to visible black body radiation)?

(hopefull those make sense) thanks!

Title: How does a IR thermometer work?
Post by: alberteinsteinx9 on 02/07/2011 16:13:47

they measure the amount of IR energy entering the lens.  Everything above absolute zero emits black body radiation.

Title: How does a IR thermometer work?
Post by: Mr. Data on 02/07/2011 16:15:57

Quote from: alberteinsteinx9 on 02/07/2011 16:13:47

they measure the amount of IR energy entering the lens.  Everything above absolute zero emits black body radiation.

Well, nothing exists below the zero-point temperatures, or at it exactly for that matter :P