Which fundamental principle states that the total radiant energy emitted per unit surface area of a black body is directly proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Stefan-Boltzmann law states that the total radiant heat energy emitted from a surface of a black body per unit area is directly proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature of the body. This relationship is mathematically expressed using the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, which links thermodynamics and electromagnetic radiation. While Wien's displacement law relates peak emission wavelength to temperature, the Stefan-Boltzmann law governs total power output. This principle is widely applied in astrophysics to calculate stellar temperatures and luminosities.