Radiation Theory and the Quantum RevolutionThis book tells the story of the researches that are traditionally lumped together under the label "radiation theory" and revolving, loosely speaking around the familiar heat and-light exchange (hot bodies emit light or radiate; the absorption of light, especially sunlight, is warming). This characterization, we will soon find out, is too crude. Attempts to improve upon it have brought about the revolution in physics known as the quantum revolution (because the revolutionary change involved was the chopping up of light waves into discrete quantities) early in the twentieth-century. I wrote it with the following rules in mind: (a) try to present the development of the intellectual background relevant to your story; (b) try to present the details of your story in a critical manner; try to present developments as results of dissatisfaction with current states of affairs; (c) try to avoid reporting any piece of information without explaining what purpose it serves. |
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Contents
Chapter | 1 |
The Background to Radiation Theory | 16 |
Chapter | 29 |
Copyright | |
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absorbs absorption and emission absorption coefficient absorption spectra Ångström answer atoms beam big questions black body Bohr Bohr's Boltzmann cavity century chemical claim classical color depends developed diffraction discovery discrete spectra distribution of radiation Einstein electric electromagnetic electron emission and absorption emission coefficient emit entropy Equation error explain fact false flame formula Fraunhofer frequency Hence historians of science idea important induced emission J.J. Thomson Karl Popper kinetic energy Kirchhoff's law Kuhn law of thermodynamics matter Maxwell Maxwell's Maxwell's demon monochromatic Newton Newtonian mechanics observed optics phenomena philosopher physics Planck precision present Prevost's law prism problem quantity of heat quantum theory radiation theory Rayleigh's reason refraction refuted second law sodium spectral lines spectroscopy spectrum statistical mechanics story stuffed-shirt temperature theory of heat theory of light thermal radiation things thinkers true wave theory wavelengths Wien Wien's law Wollaston Young