Question

Lightning produces a maximum air temperature on the order of 9.7 ✕ 10³ K, whereas a nuclear explosion produces a temperature on the order of 9.4 ✕ 10⁶ K. Use Wien's displacement law to calculate the wavelength of the thermally-produced photons radiated with greatest intensity by each of these sources. Select the part of the electromagnetic spectrum where you would expect each to radiate most strongly.

(a) lightning

λ_max ≈________ nm

(b) nuclear explosion

λ_max ≈___________pm

Answer 1