Quantum physics-rayleigh jeans/wien's law

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The discussion revolves around the inconsistency between the Rayleigh-Jeans radiation law and Wien's displacement law in the context of black body radiation. Participants explore the implications of these laws on spectral power and wavelength.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Some participants discuss the lack of a maximum in the Rayleigh-Jeans formula and its relation to the "ultra-violet catastrophe." Others question the historical context of Planck's work in relation to Wien's law and the Rayleigh-Jeans proposal.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the relationship between the laws and the historical development of the theories. Some participants express understanding of the concepts, while others provide insights into the nuances of the laws and their implications.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the need to clarify the assumptions behind the laws and the historical timeline of their development, which may influence their interpretations.

dado1307
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Show that the Rayleigh-Jeans radiation law is not consistent with Wien displacement law,
λmax T=constant, or vmax is proportional to T.
 
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The displacement law states that at any temperature T the black body spectrum reaches its peak at a wavelength given by the displacement law.
If you happen to plot the Rayleigh-Jeans formula, you'll find there is no maximum. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the spectral power. This is known as the "ultra-violet catastrophe" and, in the search of a "cure", Planck came up with his famous proposal.
 
Thank you very much...:))))
That makes perfect sense...
 
Gordianus said:
The displacement law states that at any temperature T the black body spectrum reaches its peak at a wavelength given by the displacement law.
If you happen to plot the Rayleigh-Jeans formula, you'll find there is no maximum. The shorter the wavelength, the higher the spectral power. This is known as the "ultra-violet catastrophe" and, in the search of a "cure", Planck came up with his famous proposal.

Actually, Planck developed his work as a refinement of Wien's law and was not attempting to solve the Ultra-violet catastrophe problem. In fact I believe his work (which included what is now know as Planck's constant) before or right around the same time as Rayleight-Jeans proposal.
 

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