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    • 2 Mechanics >
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        • 2.6.1 Gravitation
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        • 2.6.3 Kepler's Laws
        • 2.6.4 Gravitation and Energy
    • 3 Waves and Optics >
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        • 3.1.1 Wave Types
        • 3.1.2 Superposition
        • 3.1.3 Interference
        • 3.1.4 Inverse Square Law
        • 3.1.5 Modulation
      • 3.2 Sound >
        • 3.2.1 Beats
        • 3.2.2 Doppler
        • 3.2.3 Resonance
        • 3.2.4 Standing Waves
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        • 3.3.1 Light - a history
        • 3.3.2 Double Slit Diffraction
        • 3.3.3 Light - its speed
        • 3.3.4 Light as EMR
        • 3.3.5 Polarisation
        • 3.3.6 Spectroscopy
        • 3.3.7 Scattering
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        • 3.4.1 Reflection
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      • 4.1 Heat and Temperature
      • 4.2 Specific Heat Capacity
      • 4.3 Latent Heat
      • 4.4 Blackbody Radiation
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        • 5.1.1 Charge
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        • 5.2.1 Ohm's Law
        • 5.2.2 Series and Parallel Circuits
        • 5.2.3 Electrical Power
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        • 5.3.1 Moving Charges in Electric Fields
        • 5.3.2 Ampere's Law
        • 5.3.3 Charge in Magnetic Fields
        • 5.3.4 Motor Effect
        • 5.3.5 DC Motor
      • 5.4 Electromagnetic Induction >
        • 5.4.1 Magnetic Flux
        • 5.4.2 Faraday's Law
        • 5.4.3 Lenz' Law
        • 5.4.4 Back EMF
        • 5.4.5 Generators
        • 5.4.6 Transformers
        • 5.4.7 Induction Motors
    • 6 Modern Physics >
      • 6.1 Relativity >
        • 6.1.1 Michelson Morley Experiment
        • 6.1.2 Special Relativity
        • 6.1.3 Special Relativity Evidence
      • 6.2 Atomic Physics >
        • 6.2.1 JJ Thomson and the electron
        • 6.2.2 Millikan
        • 6.2.3 Rutherford
        • 6.2.4 Chadwick
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        • 6.3.1 What is Radioactivity
        • 6.3.2 Half Life
        • 6.3.3 Binding Energy
        • 6.3.4 Strong Nuclear Force
        • 6.3.5 Fission
        • 6.3.6 Fusion
      • 6.4 Quantum Physics >
        • 6.4.1 Planck and the Blackbody
        • 6.4.2 Photoelectric Effect
        • 6.4.3 Bohr Model
        • 6.4.4 de Broglie and Matter Waves
        • 6.4.5 Compton Effect
        • 6.4.6 Schrödinger Equation
        • 6.4.7 Heisenberg
        • 6.4.8 Lasers
      • 6.4 Particle Physics
      • 6.5 Solid State Physics
    • 7 Astrophysics >
      • 7.1 Olber's Paradox
      • 7.2 Stellar Spectroscopy
      • 7.3 Determining Stellar Distances
      • 7.4 Star Magnitude
      • 7.5 Star Temperature
      • 7..6 HR Diagram
    • 8 Medical Physics >
      • 8.1 Ultrasound
      • 8.2 X-ray
      • 8.3 PET scans
      • 8.4 MRI
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Planck and the Blackbody

PREVIOUS LESSON                                                                                                                               NEXT LESSON
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In 1900, Max Planck, in trying to understand the mathematical principles behind blackbody radiation, postulated that energy was not continuous, but came in discrete amounts.
He admitted that this was a mathematical trick to make the model fit observations.
Nonetheless, his idea, of energy being quantised, was taken up by Albert Einstein to explain the Photoelectric Effect. Later it was taken up by Niels Bohr to understand the structure of the atom.
What was a 'mathematical trick' led to complete paradigms shift what is now known as Quantum Mechanics.
The following lessons explore the development from Max Plank to Schrödinger and Heisenberg.

Planck and Black Bodies 


This video covers the basics of the back body curve, and Planck's attempt to reconcile the observations with the current theories. His attempt led to the birth of quantum physics

Interactive
We have seen this curve before, in the discussion on blackbodies in Thermodynamics
The issue was not that the curve was that shape. Rather the issue was that there was no mathematical model that could explain that shape, using classical physics - in particular, treating energy as a continuous phenomenon

Check your understanding

PREVIOUS LESSON                                                                                                                               NEXT LESSON
 

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  • Home
  • Lessons
    • 1 Foundations >
      • 1.1 Dimensions and units
      • 1.2 Mathematic skills
      • 1.3 Graphing
      • 1.4 Vectors
      • 1.5 Vectors in 3D
    • 2 Mechanics >
      • 2.1 Kinematics 1D >
        • 2.1.1 Kinematics Intro
        • 2.1.2 Acceleration
        • 2.1.3 Graphing Motion
        • 2.1.4 Equations of Motion
      • 2.2 Kinematics 2D >
        • 2.2.1 Relative Motion
        • 2.2.2 Projectile Motion
      • 2.3 Forces >
        • 2.3.1 Newton's Laws
        • 2.3.2 forces in equilibrium
        • 2.3.3 Normal
        • 2.3.4 Friction
        • 2.3.5 Forces and Pulleys
      • 2.4 Momentum and Energy >
        • 2.4.1 Momentum
        • 2.4.2 Energy
      • 2.5 Rotational Mechanics >
        • 2.5.1 Circular Motion
        • 2.5.2 Angular Velocity
        • 2.5.3 Circular applications
        • 2.5.4 Moment of Inertia
        • 2.5.5 Torque
      • 2.6 Gravity >
        • 2.6.1 Gravitation
        • 2.6.2 Orbital Motion
        • 2.6.3 Kepler's Laws
        • 2.6.4 Gravitation and Energy
    • 3 Waves and Optics >
      • 3.1 Wave Phenomena >
        • 3.1.1 Wave Types
        • 3.1.2 Superposition
        • 3.1.3 Interference
        • 3.1.4 Inverse Square Law
        • 3.1.5 Modulation
      • 3.2 Sound >
        • 3.2.1 Beats
        • 3.2.2 Doppler
        • 3.2.3 Resonance
        • 3.2.4 Standing Waves
      • 3.3 Physical Optics >
        • 3.3.1 Light - a history
        • 3.3.2 Double Slit Diffraction
        • 3.3.3 Light - its speed
        • 3.3.4 Light as EMR
        • 3.3.5 Polarisation
        • 3.3.6 Spectroscopy
        • 3.3.7 Scattering
      • 3.4 Geometric Optics >
        • 3.4.1 Reflection
        • 3.4.2 Refraction
        • 3.4.3 Lenses and Images
        • 3.4.4 Dispersion
    • 4 Thermodynamics >
      • 4.1 Heat and Temperature
      • 4.2 Specific Heat Capacity
      • 4.3 Latent Heat
      • 4.4 Blackbody Radiation
    • 5 Electricity and Magnetism >
      • 5.1 Electrostatics >
        • 5.1.1 Charge
        • 5.1.2 Coulomb's Law
        • 5.1.3 Electric Field
        • 5.1.4 Voltage
      • 5.2 Circuits >
        • 5.2.1 Ohm's Law
        • 5.2.2 Series and Parallel Circuits
        • 5.2.3 Electrical Power
      • 5.3 Electromagnetism >
        • 5.3.1 Moving Charges in Electric Fields
        • 5.3.2 Ampere's Law
        • 5.3.3 Charge in Magnetic Fields
        • 5.3.4 Motor Effect
        • 5.3.5 DC Motor
      • 5.4 Electromagnetic Induction >
        • 5.4.1 Magnetic Flux
        • 5.4.2 Faraday's Law
        • 5.4.3 Lenz' Law
        • 5.4.4 Back EMF
        • 5.4.5 Generators
        • 5.4.6 Transformers
        • 5.4.7 Induction Motors
    • 6 Modern Physics >
      • 6.1 Relativity >
        • 6.1.1 Michelson Morley Experiment
        • 6.1.2 Special Relativity
        • 6.1.3 Special Relativity Evidence
      • 6.2 Atomic Physics >
        • 6.2.1 JJ Thomson and the electron
        • 6.2.2 Millikan
        • 6.2.3 Rutherford
        • 6.2.4 Chadwick
      • 6.3 Radioactivity >
        • 6.3.1 What is Radioactivity
        • 6.3.2 Half Life
        • 6.3.3 Binding Energy
        • 6.3.4 Strong Nuclear Force
        • 6.3.5 Fission
        • 6.3.6 Fusion
      • 6.4 Quantum Physics >
        • 6.4.1 Planck and the Blackbody
        • 6.4.2 Photoelectric Effect
        • 6.4.3 Bohr Model
        • 6.4.4 de Broglie and Matter Waves
        • 6.4.5 Compton Effect
        • 6.4.6 Schrödinger Equation
        • 6.4.7 Heisenberg
        • 6.4.8 Lasers
      • 6.4 Particle Physics
      • 6.5 Solid State Physics
    • 7 Astrophysics >
      • 7.1 Olber's Paradox
      • 7.2 Stellar Spectroscopy
      • 7.3 Determining Stellar Distances
      • 7.4 Star Magnitude
      • 7.5 Star Temperature
      • 7..6 HR Diagram
    • 8 Medical Physics >
      • 8.1 Ultrasound
      • 8.2 X-ray
      • 8.3 PET scans
      • 8.4 MRI
  • curriculum specific
    • NSW >
      • NSW curriculum >
        • Year 11
        • Year 12
      • HSC question per Module
      • HSC Exam review >
        • Downloads/notes
    • QLD curriculum
    • IB curriculum
    • SAT curriculum
    • AP Physics 1&2 curriculum
  • Resources
    • Review videos
    • Shorts
    • Formula Sheet
    • tools >
      • Calculator
      • Oscilloscope
    • data sheet
    • for students >
      • recommended physics sites
      • Review and Tips
    • for teachers
    • Blogs >
      • Podcasts
      • PhysicsHigh blog
    • About >
      • Who am I
      • FAQ
      • Fun
      • Contact