Definition

A perfect object that absorbs all light and energy that hits it, without reflecting any. It also emits energy at all frequencies based on its temperature.

Example

In physics, a blackbody is used as a model to study thermal radiation.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a blackbody in physics?

Yeah, I think it's an ideal absorber of radiation, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how it radiates energy based on temperature.

For sure, it's amazing how those concepts apply to real-world scenarios.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Blackbody → The word is formed from "black" (from Old English "blæc", meaning dark or without light) and "body" (from Old English "bodig", meaning physical structure or form). A blackbody refers to an idealized physical object that absorbs all incident electromagnetic radiation, regardless of frequency or angle of incidence, and is thus considered to be perfectly black.

Memory Tip

Think of 'black' as something that is dark and absorbs light, and 'body' as a physical form. This helps you remember that a blackbody is an object that absorbs all light.

Visually Confused Words