Proving the Total Energy Density of Planck-Body Law: λ to f Domain Conversion

  • Thread starter Thread starter thatguy14
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Law Planck
thatguy14
Messages
45
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Starting from the Planck-Body Law

I_{λ}dλ = \frac{2\pi c^{2}h}{λ^{5}} \frac{1}{e^{hc/(λkT)} - 1}dλ

where λ is the wavelength, c is the speed of light in a vaccuum, T is the temperature, k is Boltzmann’s constant,
and h is Planck’s constant, prove that the total energy density over all wavelengths is given by

I_{tot} = aT^{4}

and express a in terms of pi,k,h,c

Homework Equations


λ = c/f


The Attempt at a Solution


Our teacher gives us a hint "think about whether it is better to do the integral in the wavelength or frequency domain" - which in this case means he wants us to switch to the frequency domain. I did try a bunch of things but I am just not sure if my first step is correct. To switch to the frequency domain, all I havr to do is plug in

λ = c/f
and
dλ = -c/f^{2}

correct? Or is this first step wrong
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
dλ = -c/f2 ... there should be a df in there somewhere.

\renewcommand{\d}{\;\text{d}} I_\lambda \d\lambda = \frac{2\pi c^2 h}{\lambda^5}\frac{\d \lambda}{e^{hc/\lambda kT}-1} ... can you see why it may be easier to change to frequency domain?

Note: when a hint says to "think about" something, you usually get extra marks for showing that you actually thought about it instead of just taking the hint blindly. Sometimes a teacher will hive you a false "think about" in the hint and you are supposed to dismiss it with reasoning. Therefore: check that the hint makes sense.
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Need help understanding this figure on energy levels'
This figure is from "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by Griffiths (3rd edition). It is available to download. It is from page 142. I am hoping the usual people on this site will give me a hand understanding what is going on in the figure. After the equation (4.50) it says "It is customary to introduce the principal quantum number, ##n##, which simply orders the allowed energies, starting with 1 for the ground state. (see the figure)" I still don't understand the figure :( Here is...
Thread 'Understanding how to "tack on" the time wiggle factor'
The last problem I posted on QM made it into advanced homework help, that is why I am putting it here. I am sorry for any hassle imposed on the moderators by myself. Part (a) is quite easy. We get $$\sigma_1 = 2\lambda, \mathbf{v}_1 = \begin{pmatrix} 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_2 = \lambda, \mathbf{v}_2 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} \sigma_3 = -\lambda, \mathbf{v}_3 = \begin{pmatrix} 1/\sqrt{2} \\ -1/\sqrt{2} \\ 0 \end{pmatrix} $$ There are two ways...
Back
Top