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The frequency distribution of cosmic background radiation matches that of a black body at a temperature near 2.7 K. What is the peak frequency of this radiation? What is the wavelength that corresponds to the peak frequency? (in mm)?

Answer 1

John Alexander

Please see the explanation below:

The temperature is #T=2.7K#

Utilize Wien's law of displacement.

#lambda_(max)=2897.77/T=2897.77/2.7=1073.3mu m=1.073mm#

The peak wavelength is #lambda_(max)=1.073mm#

The highest frequency recorded is

#nu=c/lambda_(max)=(3xx10^8)/(1.073xx10^-3)=2.8*10^11 Hz#

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Answer 2

Levi Anderson

The peak frequency of the cosmic background radiation is roughly 160.2 GHz, matching the peak frequency of a black body at a temperature of about 2.7 K. The corresponding wavelength is roughly 1.87 mm.

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