Physics Laws & Theorems
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Stefan–Boltzmann Law

Total energy radiated by a black body scales with the fourth power of temperature.

Formula

j=σT4j = \sigma T^4

Variables

\sigmaStefan constant
TAbsolute temperature

Example

Double a star’s temperature and it radiates 2⁴ = 16 times more power per area.

Did You Know?

A body's radiated power rises with the fourth power of temperature — double the temperature, 16× the energy.

radiationblack bodythermodynamicslaw