Shiny surfaces do not emit radiation energy efficiently; can they appear cool in an infrared image while being hot?

Shiny surfaces can indeed appear cool in an infrared image while being hot due to their poor emissivity. Emissivity refers to the efficiency with which a surface emits thermal radiation, and shiny or reflective materials typically have low emissivity values. This means they do not radiate heat effectively compared to dull or matte surfaces.

When viewed in an infrared image, these shiny surfaces may reflect ambient infrared radiation instead of emitting their own thermal radiation. As a result, the infrared camera can register a lower temperature for these surfaces, even if they possess a higher actual temperature. This phenomenon is why it’s possible for shiny surfaces to appear cool in thermal imagery despite being hot to the touch or having significant thermal energy. This knowledge is crucial in fields such as thermal imaging and building diagnostics, where accurate temperature assessments are necessary.