Planck and Boltzmann Distribution

[lonewolf219]

Does anyone know if Max Planck knew about the Boltzmann distribution before he published his results in 1900? Also, when Planck introduced h, did he also give the value?

 

[SteamKing]

Planck's value for h was 6.55*10^-34 J-s, which is pretty close to the modern value 6.626*10^-34 J-s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planck_constant

The Boltzmann distribution was identified by J.W. Gibbs in 1901.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boltzmann_distribution

 

[lonewolf219]

Thanks, SteamKing. I think I read somewhere that Planck invoked the Boltzmann distribution... anyone have any other thoughts? Maybe it hadn't been published yet, but Planck knew about it?

 

[SteamKing]

It depends on which Boltzmann distribution you refer. The attached article in post #2 refers specifically to a Boltzmann distribution, which was derive from earlier work by B. There is also a Boltzmann-Maxwell distribution, which was derived more or less contemporaneously by B. and Clerk Maxwell.