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Black body radiation: Edexcel A‑Level Physics questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Physics exam question on Black body radiation (specification points 153–155), 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,540 questions

  1. Q21(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    4 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 21(b): The graph shows how the intensity of radiation emitted by the Earth varied with wavelength in 2020. Rate at which energy is radiated from Earth Wavelength Expla

  2. Q21(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 21(c): At the end of the 19th century, Wien investigated the radiation emitted by hot objects and formulated a law. The table shows data for some stars. Star λmax / nm

  3. Q21(d)

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    5 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 21(d): The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram below shows part of the main sequence of stars. The star Sirius A is marked on the diagram. L / LSun 10 000 1000 100 Sirius A 10

  4. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    2 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 5(b)(ii): The length of a wire does not affect the value of current at which the wire melts. Explain why. Assume the wire behaves as a black body. (2)

  5. Q13

    June 2024 · Paper 2

    4 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2, question 13: Aldebaran is a red giant star. For a black body radiator of Aldebaran’s surface temperature, the wavelength λmax at which the intensity is maximum is 7.43 × 10

  6. Q17(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2

    4 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2, question 17(b)(ii): The surface temperature of the star is 5800 K. On the axes below, sketch a graph of the intensity of radiation against the wavelength of that radiation for this

  7. Q4

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 markBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 4: Which of the following is a valid unit for luminosity? A W m –2 B N m s –2 C J s –1 D J m –2

  8. Q15(a)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    3 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 15(a): Determine whether the student’s statement is correct. surface temperature of Sun = 5780 K luminosity of Sun = 3.85 × 1026 W radius of Sun = 6.96 × 108 m (3)

  9. Q15(b)

    November 2021 · Paper 2

    2 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 2, question 15(b): Calculate the wavelength with maximum intensity in the black body radiation spectrum of VY Canis Majoris. (2) Wavelength =

  10. Q14(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    3 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 14(a): When a potential difference (p.d) of 2.0 V is applied across the bulb, there is a current of 0.37 A in the filament. Calculate the temperature of the filament.

  11. Q14(b)(i)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    5 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 14(b)(i): Add to the graph to show the distribution of radiation from a black body at a temperature of 2026 K. Your answer should include a calculation. (5) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1

  12. Q14(b)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 2

    2 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 2, question 14(b)(ii): Use your graph to explain why filament light bulbs are considered inefficient. (2)

  13. Q11(a)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    4 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 11(a): An advertisement for solar panels claims that the intensity of radiation from the Sun incident at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere is more than 2 kW m−2. Asses

  14. Q5(c)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    3 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 5(c): Deduce whether the light from such a lamp would have a significant effect on the oximeter readings. (3)

  15. Q12(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    4 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 12(a): Deduce whether the objects shown in the photographs would be expected to have peak emissions at infrared wavelengths. Your answer should include a calculation.

  16. Q12(b)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    2 marksBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 12(b): The photograph shows the result when someone tries to take an infrared photograph of the same scene through a window. The image does not show the outdoor scene

  17. Q19(a)(ii)

    June 2018 · Paper 2

    3 marksBlack body radiationStars, distances and the H-R diagram
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 2, question 19(a)(ii): Proxima Centauri is described on a website as a main sequence star. Determine whether the surface temperature of Proxima Centauri is consistent with a position

  18. Q7

    June 2017 · Paper 2

    1 markBlack body radiation
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 2, question 7: A black body radiator of temperature T and surface area A has a luminosity L. Which of the following is the luminosity of a black body radiator with surface are
All 18 questions on Black body radiation, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2, Q21(b) (4 marks): The graph shows how the intensity of radiation emitted by the Earth varied with wavelength in 2020. Rate at which energy is radiated from Earth Wavelength Expla
  2. June 2025, Paper 2, Q21(c) (3 marks): At the end of the 19th century, Wien investigated the radiation emitted by hot objects and formulated a law. The table shows data for some stars. Star λmax / nm
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q21(d) (5 marks): The Hertzsprung–Russell diagram below shows part of the main sequence of stars. The star Sirius A is marked on the diagram. L / LSun 10 000 1000 100 Sirius A 10
  4. June 2025, Paper 3, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): The length of a wire does not affect the value of current at which the wire melts. Explain why. Assume the wire behaves as a black body. (2)
  5. June 2024, Paper 2, Q13 (4 marks): Aldebaran is a red giant star. For a black body radiator of Aldebaran’s surface temperature, the wavelength λmax at which the intensity is maximum is 7.43 × 10
  6. June 2023, Paper 2, Q17(b)(ii) (4 marks): The surface temperature of the star is 5800 K. On the axes below, sketch a graph of the intensity of radiation against the wavelength of that radiation for this
  7. June 2022, Paper 2, Q4 (1 mark): Which of the following is a valid unit for luminosity? A W m –2 B N m s –2 C J s –1 D J m –2
  8. November 2021, Paper 2, Q15(a) (3 marks): Determine whether the student’s statement is correct. surface temperature of Sun = 5780 K luminosity of Sun = 3.85 × 1026 W radius of Sun = 6.96 × 108 m (3)
  9. November 2021, Paper 2, Q15(b) (2 marks): Calculate the wavelength with maximum intensity in the black body radiation spectrum of VY Canis Majoris. (2) Wavelength =
  10. October 2020, Paper 2, Q14(a) (3 marks): When a potential difference (p.d) of 2.0 V is applied across the bulb, there is a current of 0.37 A in the filament. Calculate the temperature of the filament.
  11. October 2020, Paper 2, Q14(b)(i) (5 marks): Add to the graph to show the distribution of radiation from a black body at a temperature of 2026 K. Your answer should include a calculation. (5) 0.0 0.5 1.0 1
  12. October 2020, Paper 2, Q14(b)(ii) (2 marks): Use your graph to explain why filament light bulbs are considered inefficient. (2)
  13. October 2020, Paper 3, Q11(a) (4 marks): An advertisement for solar panels claims that the intensity of radiation from the Sun incident at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere is more than 2 kW m−2. Asses
  14. June 2019, Paper 3, Q5(c) (3 marks): Deduce whether the light from such a lamp would have a significant effect on the oximeter readings. (3)
  15. June 2018, Paper 2, Q12(a) (4 marks): Deduce whether the objects shown in the photographs would be expected to have peak emissions at infrared wavelengths. Your answer should include a calculation.
  16. June 2018, Paper 2, Q12(b) (2 marks): The photograph shows the result when someone tries to take an infrared photograph of the same scene through a window. The image does not show the outdoor scene
  17. June 2018, Paper 2, Q19(a)(ii) (3 marks): Proxima Centauri is described on a website as a main sequence star. Determine whether the surface temperature of Proxima Centauri is consistent with a position
  18. June 2017, Paper 2, Q7 (1 mark): A black body radiator of temperature T and surface area A has a luminosity L. Which of the following is the luminosity of a black body radiator with surface are

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