Paper
The genesis of quanta: 1890–1910
Published Jun 24, 2008 · M. Harbola
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Abstract
In this article we discuss how the concept of quantum of energy came into being from the analysis of black-body spectrum. We start our discussion with the work of Wien who discovered the general form of black-body spectrum and on the basis of his discovery proposed a formula to obtain power radiated from a black body as a function of its temperature and the frequency of radiation. We then focus on the work of Planck who modified Wien’s formula to bring it in close agreement with the experimental results. However, the real greatness of Planck is displayed in his interpretation of the modified formula that led him to introduce the revolutionary concept of the quantum of energy. How Planck arrived at this conclusion is described in detail. We conclude the article with a discussion of the generalization of the concept of quanta by Einstein to propose quantization of radiation as well as of mechanical vibrations.
The concept of quantum of energy was developed from the analysis of black-body spectrum, with Wien's formula modified by Planck and later generalized by Einstein to include quantization of radiation and mechanical vibrations.
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