Exploring Planck's Hypothesis & Einstein's Extension to EMR

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In summary: Planck proposed that all energy in the universe is quantised into small packets or 'quanta'. This is different to the classical theory of thermodynamics, which predicted that the energy emitted by a black body would decrease as the wavelength decreased. As the frequency of the radiation decreased, more and more energy would be transferred, until it reached an infinite amount. This could not be reconciled with the laws of thermodynamics, and so an explanation had to be found. Einstein extended the concept of quantised energy to light waves, reasoning that the energy from light waves may be treated as a stream of discontinuous quanta, called 'photons'. This contribution to quantum theory was based upon Planck's hypothesis
  • #1
XtremePhysX
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Can you guys please explain to me planks hypothesis? This is what I know. But I need a better understanding:
Planck’s hypothesis was designed to explain the problem of black-body
radiation and the observed ‘ultraviolet catastrophe,’ not reconcilable with
classical physics. Classical physics predicted (via laws of thermodynamics) that
the radiation emitted by a black body was different to that observed in real life.
Classical theory predicted as the wavelength of the black body radiation
decreased, the radiance would increase to an infinite amount (could not be
reconciled with laws of conservation of energy). Thus an explanation had to be
found.
Planck proposed a theory of quantum physics, which stated that all energy is
quantised. As such, all the energy exchanged within the black body exists as
packets.

I need to know the mathematics behind Plank's Hypothesis, how did he come up with his explanation?
Einstein extended the concept of quantised energy to light waves, reasoning
that the energy from light waves may be treated as a stream of discontinuous
quanta, called ‘photons’. This contribution to quantum theory was based upon
Planck’s hypothesis on the quantisation of energy emitted from a black body.
A photon is the smallest amount of radiation energy possible at a particular
frequency. A photon cannot transfer part of its energy: it can only transfer all of
its energy or none of it. The amount of energy carried by a photon is
proportional to its frequency. The intensity of light is proportional to the number
of photons. The energy possessed by a photon is proportional to its frequency
(the shorter the wavelength - the higher the frequency - the greater the total
energy). The energy of photons is given by: E=hf.

So Plank's Hypothesis was limited to energy only, Einstein is the one who extended it to EMR?
 
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  • #2
Planck saw the introduction of the constant as nothing more than a mathematical trick that reproduced the experimentally observed spectra; he didn't believe that it represented anything physically. Einstein realized it was more than just a mathematical trick, it represented an actual physical phenomenon, and he used this to explain the photoelectric effect.
 
  • #3
Miscing said:
Planck saw the introduction of the constant as nothing more than a mathematical trick that reproduced the experimentally observed spectra; he didn't believe that it represented anything physically. Einstein realized it was more than just a mathematical trick, it represented an actual physical phenomenon, and he used this to explain the photoelectric effect.

Wow, thank you, this explains it all.
So Plank just found a mathematical explanation to the bell curve?
Are you aware of the equations he used?
 

1. What is Planck's hypothesis?

Planck's hypothesis, also known as Planck's constant, is a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. It states that energy is not continuous, but rather comes in discrete packets or "quanta". This hypothesis was a major breakthrough in understanding the behavior of electromagnetic radiation.

2. How did Einstein extend the concept of electromagnetic radiation?

Einstein extended the concept of electromagnetic radiation by proposing his theory of special relativity. He showed that the speed of light is constant in all inertial frames of reference, regardless of the relative motion of the observer and the source of light. This theory revolutionized our understanding of space and time and led to the famous equation E=mc^2.

3. What is the relationship between Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension?

Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension are closely related because they both deal with the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. Planck's hypothesis explains the energy of photons, while Einstein's extension explains how this energy is affected by the observer's frame of reference. Together, they provide a more complete understanding of the nature of light.

4. How do Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension impact our understanding of the universe?

Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension have had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe. They have helped us develop new technologies, such as lasers and solar cells, and have also led to groundbreaking theories like quantum mechanics and relativity. Without these concepts, our understanding of the behavior of matter and energy would be incomplete.

5. Are there any practical applications of Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension?

Yes, there are many practical applications of Planck's hypothesis and Einstein's extension. For example, we use lasers in a variety of everyday devices, such as CD players and barcode scanners, which are based on the principles of quantum mechanics. Additionally, Einstein's theory of relativity is used in GPS technology to correct for tiny discrepancies in time measurement due to the different velocities of satellites and receivers. These are just a few of the many practical applications that have stemmed from these groundbreaking concepts.

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