Modelling the Greenhouse Effect Plank Curves

Claim
The greenhouse effect can be modelled using blackbody radiation.
Rationale
Quantum theory is a branch of modern physics exploring the energy-matter interactions on microscopic scales,
primarily focusing on particles such as electrons and photons (Kumar, 2011). Central to this theory is a concept known
as wave-particle duality, suggesting that light displays properties associated with both waves and particles
simultaneously - its importance leading to Max Planck’s development for solving the blackbody radiation problem
more than a century ago (Planck, 1901).
The term "blackbody" describes an idealised object capable of absorbing all electromagnetic radiations' energies
regardless of their incidence angles or frequency. The absorbed energy, termed "blackbody radiation", is characterised
by specific frequency distributions, or Planck curves, that depend on the body’s temperature measured in Kevlin
(Rybicki & Lightman, 2004).
Planck curves demonstrate the spectral radiance with varying temperatures in blackbodies, and can be characterised by
Wein's Displacement Law, which states the product of the peak wavelength of the emission spectrum and the
temperature of the blackbody is a constant (Wein, 1896). By identifying the peak wavelength of its emission, the
temperature of a blackbody can be estimated through this law.
Determining the temperatures of planets and exoplanets can be influenced by several identifiable factors. The primary
factor that determines this is their distance from their host star; however, the presence of an atmosphere and the
greenhouse gasses evident is also a crucial factor (Hartmann, 2015).
The greenhouse effect is a natural phenomenon where specific greenhouse gasses present in the atmosphere of a planet
act as blankets or insulators, retaining heat radiating from the host star. This process results in the warming of that
planet's surface (Kiehl & Trenberth, 1997). For example, carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor perform this
function on our planet Earth and allows for the planet’s habitable temperature. However, Venus's dense atmosphere
dominated by carbon dioxide illustrates how significant amounts of greenhouse gases lead to remarkably higher
surface temperatures, irrespective of proximity to the sun (Taylor, 2014).
By utilising Wein's Displacement Law alongside blackbody radiation and the greenhouse effect located within similar
ranges relative to their stars (exoplanets), the research question was developed.
Research Question
Can Wein’s Displacement Law be used to measure the greenhouse effect, created by the atmospheres of planets and
exoplanets at similar distances from their star, from Plank Curves based on their surface temperatures as measured in
Kelvin?
Background
A Planck curve graphically represents blackbody radiation data by showing
intensity or flux against wavelength values on its vertical and horizontal
axes respectively, arising due to fundamental principles of blackbody
radiation. “Intensity” or “flux” describe the spectral radiance or power
radiated each time per unit area at every interval, represented on the Y axis.
Similarly, corresponding wavelengths indicate the frequency of the
radiation, represented on the X axis. Thus, the Planck curve illustrates the
distribution of energy across various wavelengths.
The Planck curve serves as an explicit graphical interpretation of Planck's
Law concerning blackbody radiation, capturing essential information about
spectral radiance levels across different wavelengths. Every individual point
on this graph shows the spectral radiance at a specific wavelength for a
blackbody at a specific temperature. The peak at a particular wavelength is
associated with the maximum intensity, after which subsequently declines
on both sides along a characteristic bell-curve shape, varying with
temperature. At increased temperatures, the peak of the Planck curve shifts toward shorter wavelengths - an indication
that hotter objects emit more radiation at those particular points.
Generating a Planck curve necessitates employing Planck's Law, which describes how spectral radiance for blackbody
radiation changes based on wavelength at specific temperatures. Nevertheless, to decipher a blackbody's temperature
from its corresponding Planck curve, one must utilise Wein's Displacement Law. This law states that the wavelength at
which the curve peaks, when multiplied by the temperature of the blackbody, is a constant, also known as Wein's
constant (Wein, 1896). This is represented mathematically with the following equation:
𝑏
𝑇=
𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥
Where T is absolute temperature, b is Wien’s constant (approximately 2.9 × 10−3), and 𝜆𝑚𝑎𝑥 is the peak wavelength.
Accordingly, by finding this peak wavelength using a blackbody’s unique Planck curve, one can straightforwardly
calculate its temperature.
Analysis of Evidence

Figure 1: Plank curve representative of the solar spectrum of Kepler-1652b.

Kepler-1652b is garnering interest as an exoplanet due to the fact that it possesses similarities in size and distance
from its host star as compared with Earth. This likeness reveals potential for similar greenhouse effects; however,
variations may exist due to individual atmospheric compositions and different levels of greenhouse gases potentially
producing altered surface temperatures.
Figure 1 displays important findings regarding Kepler-1652b's solar spectrum. The Planck curve identified within this
data is noteworthy due to its peak wavelength of 7600 Angstroms or 760 nanometres, indicating that blackbody
radiation emitted by Kepler-1652b reaches maximum intensity at this wavelength. Using Wein's Displacement Law in
conjunction with this peak wavelength yielded a result indicating that Kepler-1652b has an absolute temperature of
approximately 3812.6 Kelvin.
Despite being in a habitable zone, Kepler-1652b exhibits an unexpectedly high absolute temperature when compared
to what would be anticipated for its surface temperature. This phenomenon can be explained by considering how the
Planck curve calculates radiative energy of a planet; it accounts for sunlight absorbed and reflected rather than emitted
radiation from Kepler-1652b itself. Consequently, estimating blackbody radiation depends upon precise knowledge of
planet’s surface temperatures which could vary significantly from calculated values based on its reflection properties
observed at 3812.6K. This emphasizes the need for utilizing additional methodologies or data sources to accurately
determine exoplanet surface temperatures.
Figure 2: Solar Spectrum of Venus at different altitudes (0-60km)

The dense and thick atmosphere a distinguishing factor appertaining to Venus, the second planet within our solar
system, as opposed to the other planets. This atmospheric shield is composed primarily of carbon dioxide, although it
features small quantities of nitrogen, alongside other elements. The high concentration levels create a powerful
greenhouse effect that retains warmth on the surface; thus, Venus' average temperature remains at a heightened level,
at approximately 464 degrees Celsius (735K), ultimately rendering it as our solar system's hottest planet.
The examination of Figure 1 discloses that the spectral radiance reaches its peak around a wavelength close to 630
nanometres. This provided an absolute temperature assessment for Venus of 4600K. This calculated temperature is
substantially larger than what has been found from measuring surface temperatures alone. Evidently, these findings
indicate that factors such as atmospheric density and elevated levels of greenhouse gases play a significant role in
causing planetary heating on Venus.
Upon comparing Venus' temperature with that of Kepler-1652b, we can observe discernible dissimilarities between the
two celestial bodies (Figure 1). Despite having almost identical distances from their respective stars, Kepler-1652b's
calculated absolute temperature is approximately 3812.6K - around eight hundred Kelvin less than that of Venus.
These differences in heat intensity might stem from contrasting atmospheric compositions generating disparate
Greenhouse gas levels, however a conclusive deduction can only be obtained through a detailed analysis of Kepler-
1652b's atmosphere and other possible variables such as albedo levels or age of star system.
Improvements and Extensions
While the present study provides insight on Plank curves on only two planets, this narrow scope could pose a problem
when broadening its implications for other celestial bodies. The atmospheric composition and greenhouse effect
values dramatically differ among various celestial objects, and consequently findings from just two planets may not be
representative enough to make any reliable generalisation. Therefore, an extension should be to focus on collecting
ample data points from several planets and exoplanets with different environmental conditions to enable extensive
comparisons. In addition to this extension, undertaking a comprehensive analysis of each planet's distinct atmospheric
gas components will improve the determination of how greenhouse gases influence surface temperature. By
incorporating this improvement and extension, the reliability and applicability of the findings would be enhanced, thus
providing a more definitive answer to the research question.
The primary limitation of the current research lies in the assumption that Wein's Displacement Law and Planck curves,
which infer absolute temperature based on the peak wavelength of blackbody radiation, can be applied without
considering that the celestial bodies do not behave as perfect blackbodies. This assumption overlooks key factors like
albedo and emissivity of the planet's surface, which can significantly influence the effective temperature of a celestial
body. To address this, an improvement to the investigation could include the incorporation of more sophisticated
modelling that accounts for the planet's albedo and emissivity in the temperature estimations. For an extension, one
could delve into the investigation of how greenhouse gases affect these specific factors, particularly albedo and
emissivity. This would provide a completer and more accurate dataset that improves the reliability of the estimated
temperatures. Such an improvement and extension to the investigation will enhance the accuracy and credibility of the
conclusions drawn, thereby providing a more robust answer to the research question.
Conclusion
The analysis of factors influencing the planets' temperatures reveals that there is a positive link between greenhouse
emission levels and temperature, as estimated by their respective Planck curves. Venus experiences high levels of
greenhouse emissions due to its atmospheric gases compared to Kepler-1652b resulting in an incomparable average
surface temperature difference (4600K vs 3812.6K).
Therefore, our research confirms Wein's Displacement Law can be used to some extent for measuring planetary
greenhouse effects through Planck curves. However, it is crucial to note that the observed lower temperature on the
planet with less greenhouse emissions, though suggestive, doesn't conclusively establish causality due to the multitude
of other potential influencing factors.
As a result, the data obtained might be relatively unreliable since using Planck Curves yielding detailed knowledge
isn't foolproof. Thus, these initial results emphasize the need for more extensive and detailed research before one can
understand the greenhouse effect, planetary-surface temperatures, and how this relates to blackbody radiation and
Plank curves.
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