Random question about heat dissipation....

[LafayetteFSAE]

Not sure if this has been discussed here before, but just curious if anyone has any clear proof that the color Black dissipates heat better than any other color...saw an argument on a local car message board about it, just wondering if anyone here has some hard facts on the subject matter.


So, does black dissipate heat the best, or is that just a myth??

[LafayetteFSAE]

Not sure if this has been discussed here before, but just curious if anyone has any clear proof that the color Black dissipates heat better than any other color...saw an argument on a local car message board about it, just wondering if anyone here has some hard facts on the subject matter.


So, does black dissipate heat the best, or is that just a myth??

[Hector]

The idea is to emulate a blackbody. Reading is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackbody_Radiation

Paragraph 2 at the top more or less sums it up. Note - blackbodies also absorb more radiation.

Yes, I used Wiki. Shoot me.

[Wesley]

For the most part, black surfaces have the highest emissivity. So yeah, from a surface radiation point of view, I suppose it's true.

But often things like rubber are black, and things like paint are less emissive than aluminum, etc. etc. There, of course, is a lot more to it than the color.