The Origin Of Plancks Constant

In summary, the origin of Planck's constant, h, can be traced back to a lecture given by Max Planck in 1900. It is the constant of proportionality between the energy of radiation and its frequency.
  • #1
roger
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The Origin Of Plancks Constant......

Dear Friends,


What is the origin of Plancks constant ?


What actually is it ?


Discuss



Roger
 
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  • #2
An answer

roger said:
Dear Friends,


What is the origin of Plancks constant ?
What actually is it ?
Discuss

Roger

The unrationalized Planck constant (h,not h-bar) appears for the first time in the famous lecture delivered before the Physikalische Gesellschaft by Max Planck on December 14,1900 (the lecture was afterwards printed in "Verhandlungen der Deutschen physikalischen Gesellschaft" 2,p.237 under the title "Zur Theorie des Gesetzes der Energieverteilung I am Normalspektrum").It appears as the constant of proportionality between the energy of the quanta of radiation emmited/absorbed and the radiation's frequency.To quote Planck:[tex] \epsilon = h\nu [/tex].

Hopefully your question has been answered in a concluding manner.
 
  • #3
,

Planck's constant, denoted by the symbol h, is a fundamental constant in physics that is used to describe the relationship between energy and frequency of a photon. It was first introduced by German physicist Max Planck in 1900 as a way to explain the energy distribution of blackbody radiation.

Before Planck's work, it was believed that energy could be emitted or absorbed in any amount, known as the "ultraviolet catastrophe." However, Planck proposed that energy is actually quantized and can only be emitted or absorbed in discrete units, now known as photons.

The value of Planck's constant was originally determined experimentally by Planck himself, but it was later refined by other scientists, including Albert Einstein. It has since been confirmed through various experiments and is considered to be one of the most accurately measured physical constants.

As for its origin, Planck's constant is a fundamental part of the quantum theory of light and is derived from the principles of quantum mechanics and the wave-particle duality of light. It is a fundamental constant in our understanding of the universe and plays a crucial role in many areas of physics, from atomic and molecular physics to cosmology.

I hope this helps to answer your questions about the origin and significance of Planck's constant. It truly is a remarkable constant that has greatly contributed to our understanding of the world around us. Thank you for bringing up such an interesting topic for discussion.
 

Related to The Origin Of Plancks Constant

1. What is Planck's constant and why is it important in science?

Planck's constant, denoted as h, is a fundamental constant in quantum mechanics that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. It is important because it allows us to understand the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels, and is a key component in many equations and theories in physics.

2. Who discovered Planck's constant and when?

Max Planck, a German physicist, discovered the concept of Planck's constant in 1900 while studying blackbody radiation. He was trying to explain the energy distribution of electromagnetic radiation and found that by introducing a constant, he could accurately predict the energy of the radiation.

3. How is Planck's constant measured?

Planck's constant is measured using various experimental methods, such as the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering. In these experiments, the value of h can be determined by measuring the energy and frequency of photons. The most precise measurement to date was done using a device called a Kibble balance, which relates h to the mass of a kilogram.

4. Does Planck's constant vary in different conditions?

No, Planck's constant is a universal constant and does not vary in different conditions. It has the same value regardless of where or when it is measured. This is one of the fundamental principles of physics, known as the principle of conservation of energy.

5. How does Planck's constant relate to other fundamental constants?

Planck's constant is one of the fundamental constants in physics, along with the speed of light, the gravitational constant, and the elementary charge. It is related to these constants in various equations, such as the famous equation E=mc², which includes h as a conversion factor between mass and energy.

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