Color Temperature of a Black Body Radiator

This tutorial explores how changing the temperature of a black body radiator affects the visible light spectrum and color temperature emitted by the radiator. Instructions for operation of the tutorial appear below the applet window.

Use the mouse pointer to move the slider back and forth to increase the color temperature of the horseshoe. The blue arrow buttons perform the same function in small increments when they are clicked on. As the color temperature is changed, the value appears just beneath the slider. Note the changes to the horseshoe color as the color temperature is changed.