Planck Spectrum and wavelength subsitution

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the derivation of the Planck spectrum as a function of wavelength using the substitution \(\lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon}\) in the equation \(\frac{U}{V} = \int^{\infty}_{0} \frac{8 \pi \epsilon^{3}/(hc)^{3}}{e^{\epsilon / kT}-1} d \epsilon\). The user correctly replaces differentials but encounters an issue where the resulting function peaks incorrectly at 2.82. The solution provided emphasizes maintaining the energy distribution function in terms of wavelength rather than substituting with \(x\) to correctly identify the maximum. Reference to Wien's Displacement Law is suggested for further understanding.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Planck's Law and blackbody radiation
  • Familiarity with differential calculus and integration techniques
  • Knowledge of thermal physics concepts, particularly energy distribution
  • Basic understanding of LaTeX for mathematical notation
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Wien's Displacement Law for insights on energy distribution
  • Learn about the implications of Planck's Law in thermal radiation
  • Explore numerical integration techniques for plotting the Planck spectrum
  • Investigate the relationship between wavelength and frequency in electromagnetic radiation
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, thermal engineers, and students studying thermal radiation and quantum mechanics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the mathematical derivation of the Planck 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 \lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon}. 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

\lambda = \frac{hc}{\epsilon}

into the following equation

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

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

d \epsilon = - \frac{hc}{\lambda^2} d \lambda

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.

x = \frac{hc}{kT \lambda}

Again being careful to replace the differential of lambda,

d \lambda = - \frac{hc}{kT x^2} dx

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

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

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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