Consider an object that emits thermal radiation at a peak wavelength of 12.2 nm. What is the temperature of this object?

To determine the temperature of an object based on its peak wavelength of thermal radiation, we can use Wien's displacement law. According to Wien's law, the peak wavelength (λ_max) of the thermal radiation emitted by an object is inversely proportional to its temperature (T). Mathematically, this can be expressed as:

λ_max * T = constant

The constant in this equation is known as Wien's displacement constant (b) and has a value of approximately 2.898 × 10^6 nm·K.

Rearranging the equation to solve for the temperature (T), we get:

T = constant / λ_max

Plugging in the values from the given question, where λ_max = 12.2 nm, we can calculate the temperature of the object emitting thermal radiation as follows:

T = (2.898 × 10^6 nm·K) / (12.2 nm)

T ≈ 237,541 K

Therefore, the estimated temperature of the object emitting thermal radiation with a peak wavelength of 12.2 nm is approximately 237,541 Kelvin (K).