Explain why:

an optical pyrometer (for measuring high temperatures) calibrated for an ideal black body radiation gives too low a value for the temperature of a red hot iron piece in the open, but gives a correct value for the temperature when the same piece is in the furnace

An optical pyrometer calibrated for an ideal black body radiation gives too low a value for temperature of a red-hot iron piece kept in the open. Black body radiation equation is given by E = σ (T4 - T04)


Where, E = Energy radiation


T = Temperature of optical pyrometer


To = Temperature of open space


σ = Constant


Hence, an increase in the temperature of open space reduces the radiation energy. When the same piece of iron is placed in a furnace, the radiation energy, E = σ T4.


22