# HELP! Boltzmann law in terms of classical physics?

The Stefan-Boltzmann law is as follows: The energy radiated by a black body radiater per second per unit area is directly proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature.

Equation: I = σT^4

Is it possible to explain this law by means of classical physics only? If so, please explain.

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dextercioby
Homework Helper

I would say no since the Stefan-Boltzmann law is derived from Planck's law of radiation which was found by Planck using a quantum hypothesis. Or really a bit psuedo-quantum, he didn't realise it himself at the time that he had more or less revolutionised physics.

dextercioby
Homework Helper
Well, amazingly or not, the law bears the name of Ludwig Boltzmann, a renowned theoretician of CLASSICAL phyics. So it's pretty logic that the answer should be "yes", as confirmed by this very well written article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan-Boltzmann_law

That's interesting, I was not aware that you could derive the Stefan-Boltzmann law classically, without the Planck law of radiation. Well then, the answer is as bigubau noted obivously yes to your question - the law can be derived classically.

However, it seems that a theoretical value of the Stefan-Boltzmann constant $$\sigma$$ can not be found without the aid of a quantum hypothesis (Planck's radiation law). It can only be measured.

Thanks guys