Blackbody and gas molecule speed graphs look similar. Why?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the visual similarity between the graphs of blackbody radiation intensity versus wavelength and gas molecule speed versus number of molecules. Both graphs exhibit a peak value, indicating a common characteristic in their behavior. However, the phenomena are fundamentally different, and establishing a direct relationship between them is unusual. The conversation also touches on the equipartition of energy in thermodynamics, suggesting a desire for deeper connections between these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of blackbody radiation principles
  • Familiarity with gas laws and molecular speed distributions
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics and equipartition of energy
  • Concepts of graph interpretation in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of blackbody radiation and Planck's law
  • Study the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of molecular speeds in gases
  • Explore the equipartition theorem in thermodynamics
  • Investigate the behavior of LCR circuits and their frequency response
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, students studying thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, and anyone interested in the relationships between different physical phenomena.

snoopies622
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The graphs of intensity versus wavelength of blackbody radiation and of number of molecules versus speed in a gas look very similar to me. Is this just a coincidence? They seem like quite different phenomena.
 
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snoopies622 said:
The graphs of intensity versus wavelength of blackbody radiation and of number of molecules versus speed in a gas look very similar to me. Is this just a coincidence? They seem like quite different phenomena.

the similarity is that both have a peak...max value.
many physical properties show this behaviour but they are different things and it would be unusual to find a relationship between such different physical phenomena.
eg current through resistance against frequency in an LCR circuit
 
Hmm . . I was hoping for some thermodynamic connection related to the equipartition of energy. Thanks for the feedback.
 

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