Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: sanjayuk on 05/03/2010 12:54:53

Title: What is the smallest distance between a Infrared reflective surface & source?
Post by: sanjayuk on 05/03/2010 12:54:53

Hi, I hope you can help. I have a technical question. I have searched with google to find an answer, but with no luck.

My question is: If we have any building material, say plasterboard, and it is emmitting some of it's heat by Infra-Red, and you want to recapture that lost heat by placing a reflective surface on one side of the plasterboard, (so the emmitted heat reflects back into the plasterboard, how close can you put a reflective surface to the plasterboard? Can the reflective surface actually be in contact with the plasterboard, or will that render the reflective properties useless?

Any help would be greatly appriciated.

Many Thanks,

Sanjay

Title: What is the smallest distance between a Infrared reflective surface & source?
Post by: Ron Hughes on 05/03/2010 17:31:48

I wouldn't think it could be any closer than the longest wavelength of infrared. Is there a material that reflects infrared? A mirror may reflect a portion of it but not a lot.

Title: What is the smallest distance between a Infrared reflective surface & source?
Post by: Bored chemist on 05/03/2010 17:53:43

It might not matter.
If you coat the plasterboard with foil (which is a very good reflector) then it will be a very poor emitter.
Job done.