Planck Spectrum and wavelength subsitution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem from Schroeder's introduction to thermal physics, specifically focusing on substituting wavelength into an equation to derive the Planck spectrum. The original poster attempts to express the energy density as a function of wavelength by substituting variables and differentials, leading to confusion regarding the expected outcome of the spectrum's peak.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster describes their method of substitution and expresses concern over the resulting equation resembling the one in terms of energy rather than wavelength. They question the validity of their differential substitutions and seek clarification on potential mistakes.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on the approach, suggesting that the original poster may be misinterpreting the need to express the energy distribution function in terms of wavelength rather than the substituted variable. The conversation indicates an exploration of different interpretations and methods without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is working within the constraints of a homework problem that requires careful substitution and manipulation of equations, and there is an emphasis on understanding the implications of these substitutions on the resulting spectrum.

FortranMan
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All the below is presented in latex format. In Schroeder's intro to thermal, problem 7.38, he asks you to substitute

[EQ] \lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon} [/EQ]

into the following equation

[EQ] \frac{U}{V} = \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{8 \pi \epsilon^{3}/(hc)^{3}}{e^{\epsilon / kT}-1} d \epsilon [/EQ]

from which you should get the Planck spectrum as a function of wavelength. So far I've been careful in replacing the differential of epsilon with

[EQ] d \epsilon = - \frac{hc}{\lambda^2} d \lambda [/EQ]

In preparation to plot and solve the integrand, he asks you to express the above equation in terms of hc/kT, which I'm guessing can be done by substituting the value x below.

[EQ] x = \frac{hc}{kT \lambda} [/EQ]

Again being careful to replace the differential of lambda,

[EQ] d \lambda = - \frac{hc}{kT x^2} dx [/EQ]

However as soon as arrange everything in terms of x, it looks exactly like this equation

[EQ] \frac{U}{V} = \frac{8 \pi (kT)^4}{(hc)^3} \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{x^3}{e^{x}-1} dx [/EQ]

which, according to Schroeder, it shouldn't because when you plot the spectrum in terms of the wavelength the function should NOT peak at 2.82 and look exactly like the spectrum in terms of epsilon. So, what stupid differential mistake am I making?
 
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I'm going to take your first expression, [EQ] \lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon} [/EQ] and substitute "[ tex ]" for [EQ] and "[ /tex ]" for [/EQ], and here's what I get [tex]\lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon}[/tex]. Eliminate the spaces in the tex /tex pair to get it to actually work.
 
Last edited:
FortranMan said:
All the below is presented in latex format. In Schroeder's intro to thermal, problem 7.38, he asks you to substitute

[tex]\lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon}[/tex]

into the following equation

[tex]\frac{U}{V} = \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{8 \pi \epsilon^{3}/(hc)^{3}}{e^{\epsilon / kT}-1} d \epsilon[/tex]

from which you should get the Planck spectrum as a function of wavelength. So far I've been careful in replacing the differential of epsilon with

[tex]d \epsilon = - \frac{hc}{\lambda^2} d \lambda[/tex]

In preparation to plot and solve the integrand, he asks you to express the above equation in terms of hc/kT, which I'm guessing can be done by substituting the value x below.

[tex]x = \frac{hc}{kT \lambda}[/tex]

Again being careful to replace the differential of lambda,

[tex]d \lambda = - \frac{hc}{kT x^2} dx[/tex]

However as soon as arrange everything in terms of x, it looks exactly like this equation

[tex]\frac{U}{V} = \frac{8 \pi (kT)^4}{(hc)^3} \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{x^3}{e^{x}-1} dx[/tex]

which, according to Schroeder, it shouldn't because when you plot the spectrum in terms of the wavelength the function should NOT peak at 2.82 and look exactly like the spectrum in terms of epsilon. So, what stupid differential mistake am I making?

rephrased. Now can anyone answer my question?
 
Subtle difference

Your differentials are perfect. You just took them too far. Dont substitute with x. You want to solve for the energy distribution function in terms of lambda. That way you can take the derivative of the energy distribution function and set to zero to find maximum. Check out the wiki on Wien's Displacement Law and the derivation at the bottom.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wien's_displacement_law
 

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