Help with Integral: Solve for Power Difference

  • Thread starter Thread starter phyguy321
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the integral transformation in modern physics, specifically the change of variable from \(\lambda\) to \(x\) in the integral \(\int \frac{2\pi hc^2}{\lambda^5 (e^{\frac{hc}{\lambda}kT}-1)} d\lambda\). The correct transformation leads to the expression \((2\pi k^4 T^4)/(c^2 h^3) \int \frac{x^3}{e^x - 1} dx\). A common error identified is the failure to appropriately substitute \(d\lambda\) during the variable change, which affects the powers of \(x\) in the resulting integral.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integral calculus and variable substitution
  • Familiarity with Planck's law and blackbody radiation concepts
  • Knowledge of exponential functions and their properties
  • Basic understanding of thermodynamic variables such as temperature (T) and Boltzmann's constant (k)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Planck's law for blackbody radiation
  • Learn about variable substitution techniques in integral calculus
  • Explore the properties of the exponential function in physics applications
  • Investigate the implications of thermodynamic variables in quantum mechanics
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, particularly those studying modern physics and thermodynamics, as well as educators looking for examples of integral transformations in physical contexts.

phyguy321
Messages
45
Reaction score
0
So i don't really know where to paste this.

I'm reading a example in my modern physics book and i don't understand what they did.

[tex]\int[/tex] (2(pi)hc2)/([tex]\lambda[/tex]5(ehc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT-1))d[tex]\lambda[/tex]

if we make the change of variable x=hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT

(2(pi)k4T4)/(c2h3)[tex]\int[/tex]((x3)/(ex-1))dx

so how did they get to this:

(2(pi)k4T4)/(c2h3)[tex]\int[/tex]((x3)/(ex-1))dx

when I solve for [tex]\lambda[/tex] in x=hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT and plug it into the first ingetral I get:

(2(pi)x5k5T5)/(h4c3)

basically, I'm off by 1 power for everything except for x (that I'm off by 2).

can someone explain this?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
phyguy321 said:
So i don't really know where to paste this.

I'm reading a example in my modern physics book and i don't understand what they did.

[tex]\int[/tex] (2(pi)hc2)/([tex]\lambda[/tex]5(ehc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT-1))d[tex]\lambda[/tex]
That's
[tex]\int \frac{2\pi hc^2}{\lambda^5 e^{\frac{hc}{\lambda}kT^{-1}-1} d\lambda[/tex]?

if we make the change of variable x=hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT

(2(pi)k4T4)/(c2h3)[tex]\int[/tex]((x3)/(ex-1))dx

so how did they get to this:

(2(pi)k4T4)/(c2h3)[tex]\int[/tex]((x3)/(ex-1))dx

when I solve for [tex]\lambda[/tex] in x=hc/[tex]\lambda[/tex]kT and plug it into the first ingetral I get:

(2(pi)x5k5T5)/(h4c3)

basically, I'm off by 1 power for everything except for x (that I'm off by 2).

can someone explain this?
Did you forget to replace "[itex]d\lambda[/itex]" as well?
[tex]x= \frac{hc}{kT}\lambda^{-1}[/tex]
so [tex]dx= -\frac{hc}{kT}\lambda^{-2}d\lambda[/tex]
Solving that for [itex]d\lambda[/itex],
[tex]d\lambda= -\frac{kT}{hc}\lambda^2 dx[/itex]<br /> and since [itex]\lambda= (hc)/(kT) x^{-1}[/itex], [itex]\lambda^2= (h^2c^2)/(k^2T^2) x^{-2}[/itex] giving<br /> [tex]d\lambda= \frac{hc}{kT}x^{-2}dx[/tex].[/tex]
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
27
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
16
Views
3K