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By the end of the nineteenth century, scientists had been able to explain the vast majority of natural phenomena using Newton’s Laws of classical mechanics or classical theory, as well as other theories. It was at this point when matter and energy were regarded to be separate and unconnected entities. Maxwell’s equations, which were developed by Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell in 1873, allowed scientists to define the attributes of radiant energy for the first time. However, by the twentieth century, scientists had discovered that phenomena such as black body radiation and the photoelectric effect could not be explained by classical theory or classical mechanics, and so could not be explained by either. During this period, the German physicist Max Planck proposed his idea of the quantized nature of electromagnetic waves’ energy, which was later proven correct. In this article, we will discuss Max Planck’s quantum theory of radiation, also known as the quantum theory of radiation, as well as black body radiation, electromagnetic radiation, evidence for a particle theory of energy, and other related subjects.
Radiation from the Black Body
When heated, solids produce radiation with a wide range of wavelengths that can be detected. For example, when we heat a solid colour, the colour variations continue to occur when the temperature is raised higher. This colour change occurs as a result of the temperature increasing, and occurs from a lower frequency zone to a higher frequency region. For example, it goes from red to blue in a large number of instances. A black body is a hypothetical body that is capable of emitting and absorbing radiation of all frequencies. Black body radiation is the name given to the radiation released by such bodies.
Consequently, we may claim that the variation in frequency for black body radiation is influenced by the temperature. Researchers have discovered that increasing the wavelength of radiation at a certain temperature causes the strength of radiation to grow initially, but subsequently the intensity of radiation decreases as the wavelength increases. With the help of Maxwell’s suggestions, this anomaly could not be adequately described. So, Planck proposed Planck’s quantum theory as a way of explaining what he was experiencing.
Planck’s quantum theory
In accordance to Planck’s quantum theory,
- Different atoms and molecules can only release or absorb energy in discrete amounts, but other atoms and molecules can do both. When it comes to electromagnetic radiation, the smallest amount of energy that can be released or absorbed in the form of electromagnetic radiation is known as the quantum level.
The amount of energy received or emitted by a given amount of radiation is directly proportional to the frequency of the radiation.
Radiation energy is also expressed in terms of frequency, as seen in the table below.
E = h v is a mathematical formula.
Where,
E = The amount of energy emitted by the radiation
h = Planck’s constant (6.62610–34 J.s)
v = The frequency at which radiation occurs
Planck, in a surprising turn of events, came to the conclusion that these were only one element of the processes of radiation absorption and emission. In terms of the physical reality of radiation, they had absolutely nothing to do with it. The photoelectric effect was further explained by Albert Einstein, a famous German scientist who reinterpreted Planck’s theory later in the year 1905 to provide a better understanding of the phenomenon. If a source of light is focused on specific materials, he believes that the light will cause electrons to be emitted from the material. He was wrong. Essentially, Planck’s research led to Einstein’s discovery that light is composed of discrete quanta of energy, known as photons.
Planck’s Quantum Theory has a variety of applications.
It is Planck’s quantum theory that is considered to be the most fundamental theory of quantum mechanics. As a result, it has applications in all of the domains in which quantum mechanics is applied today. This technology has a variety of applications, including electrical appliances, medical devices, quantum computers, lasers, and quantum cryptography, among others.
Conclusion
A large number of experiments were carried out in order to investigate Planck’s quantum theory. Each and every one of the experimental observations supported and served as compelling proof for quantum theory. All of this indicates that the energy of electron motion in matter is quantized in some way. A prism is a device that can divide light into different wavelengths. If light just behaves as a wave, then the prism should produce a rainbow that is continuous in nature. This is also consistent with Planck’s Quantum Theory. It has also been demonstrated that the emission spectrum of nitrogen gas supports the Planckian quantum theory of radiation.
