What is the wavelength at which the human body emits the most radiation?

1 Answer
Dec 11, 2014

Using Wien's Law, one can calculate the peak in the emission spectra from an ideal blackbody.

#lambda_max = b/T#

Wien's displacement constant #b# is equal to:
#b = 0.002897 m K#

Human body temperature is about #310.15º K#.

#lambda_max = 0.002897/310.15 = 0.000009341 m#

#lambda_max = 93,410 "Angstroms"#

That puts the peak radiation in the infrared range. Human vision can see red light wavelengths as long as about 7,000 Angstroms. The infrared wavelengths are generally defined as being between 7,000 and 1,000,000 Angstroms.