Planck's Quantum ThePlanck's Quantum Theory

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Max Planck suggested that the energy of light is proportional to its frequency, also
showing that light exists in discrete quanta of energy.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES[ edit ]

Understand Planck's Quantum Theory

Calculate the energy element E=hv, using Planck's Quantum Theory

KEY POINTS[ edit ]

o

Until the late 19th century, Newtonian physics dominated the scientific
worldview. However, by the early 20th century, physicists discovered
that the laws of classical mechanics do not apply at the atomic scale.

The photoelectric effect could not be rationalized based on existing

theories of light, as an increase in the intensity of light did not lead to
the same outcome as an increase in the energy of the light.

Planck postulated that the energy of light is proportional to

the frequency, and the constant that relates them is known as Planck's
constant (h). His work led to Albert Einstein determining that light
exists in discrete quantaof energy, or photons.

TERMS[ edit ]

electromagnetic radiation

Radiation (quantized as photons) consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic

fields oriented perpendicularly to each other, moving through space.

photoelectric effect

The emission of electrons from the surface of a material following the absorption of
electromagnetic radiation.
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FULL TEXT[ edit ]
In the late 18th century, great progress in physics had been made. Classical
Newtonian physics at the time was widely accepted in the scientific community for
its ability to accurately explain and predict many phenomena. However, by the early
20th century, physicists discovered that the laws of classical mechanics are not
applicable at the atomic scale, and experiments such as the photoelectric effect
completely contradicted the laws of classical physics. As a result of these
observations, physicists articulated a set of theories now known as quantum
mechanics. In some ways, quantum mechanics completely changed the way
physicists viewed the universe, and it also marked the end of the idea of a
clockwork universe (the idea that universe was predictable).
Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is a form of energy with both wave-like and particlelike properties; visible light being a well-known example. From the wave
perspective, all forms of EM radiation may be described in terms of
their wavelength and frequency. Wavelength is the distance from one wave peak to
the next, which can be measured in meters. Frequency is the number of waves that
pass by a given point each second. While the wavelength and frequency of EM
radiation may vary, its speed in a vacuum remains constant at 3.0 x 10 8 m/sec, the
speed of light. The wavelength or frequency of any specific occurrence of EM
radiation determine its position on the electromagnetic spectrum and can be
calculated from the following equation:

where c is the constant 3.0 x 108 m/sec (the speed of light in a vacuum),

wavelength in meters, and

=frequency in hertz (1/s). It is important to note that
by using this equation, one can determine the wavelength of light from a given
frequency and vice versa.

Wavelength of EM radiation
The distance used to determine the wavelength is shown. Light has many
properties associated with its wave nature, and the wavelength in part determines
these properties.

The Discovery of the Quantum

The wave model cannot account for something known as the photoelectric effect.
This effect is observed when light focused on certain metals emits electrons. For
each metal, there is a minimum threshold frequency of EM radiation at which the
effect will occur. Replacement of light with twice the intensity and half the
frequency will not produce the same outcome, contrary to what would be expected
if light acted strictly as a wave. In that case, the effect of light would be cumulative
the light should add up, little by little, until it caused electrons to be emitted.
Instead, there is a clear-cut minimum frequency of light that triggers electron
ejection. The implication was that frequency is directly proportional to energy, with
the higher light frequencies having more energy. This observation led to the
discovery of the minimum amount of energy that could be gained or lost by
an atom. Max Planck named this minimum amount the "quantum," plural "quanta,"
meaning "how much." One photon of light carries exactly one quantum of energy.
Planck is considered the father of the Quantum Theory. According to Planck: E=h
,where h is Planck's constant (6.62606957(29) x 10 -34 J s), is the frequency,
and E is energy of an electromagnetic wave. Planck (cautiously) insisted that this
was simply an aspect of the processes of absorption and emission of radiation and
had nothing to do with the physical reality of the radiation itself. However, in 1905,
Albert Einstein reinterpreted Planck's quantum hypothesis and used it to explain the
photoelectric effect, in which shining light on certain materials can eject electrons
from the material.
More Evidence for a Particle Theory of Energy

When an electric current is passed through a gas, some of the electrons in the
gasmolecules move from their ground energy state to an excited state that is
further away from their nuclei. When the electrons return to the ground state, they
emit energy of various wavelengths. A prism can be used to separate the
wavelengths, making them easy to identify. If light acted only as a wave, then there
should be a continuous rainbow created by the prism. Instead, there are discrete
lines created by different wavelengths. This is because electrons release specific
wavelengths of light when moving from an excited state to the ground state.

Emission spectrum of nitrogen gas

Each wavelength of light emitted (each colored line) corresponds to a transition of
an electron from one energy level to another, releasing a quantum of light with
defined energy (color).

Source: Boundless. Planck's Quantum Theory. Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 12

Aug. 2015. Retrieved 23 Sep. 2015
from https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistrytextbook/introduction-to-quantum-theory-7/the-nature-of-light-63/planck-s-quantumtheory-296-7514/ory
READ
EDIT
FEEDBACK
VERSION HISTORY
USAGE
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Assign Concept Reading
View Quiz
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Max Planck suggested that the energy of light is proportional to its frequency, also
showing that light exists in discrete quanta of energy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES[ edit ]

Understand Planck's Quantum Theory

Calculate the energy element E=hv, using Planck's Quantum Theory

KEY POINTS[ edit ]

Until the late 19th century, Newtonian physics dominated the scientific worldview.
However, by the early 20th century, physicists discovered that the laws of classical
mechanics do not apply at the atomic scale.
The photoelectric effect could not be rationalized based on existing theories of light,
as an increase in the intensity of light did not lead to the same outcome as an
increase in the energy of the light.
Planck postulated that the energy of light is proportional to the frequency, and the
constant that relates them is known as Planck's constant (h). His work led to Albert
Einstein determining that light exists in discrete quanta of energy, or photons.
TERMS[ edit ]

electromagnetic radiation
Radiation (quantized as photons) consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic
fields oriented perpendicularly to each other, moving through space.

photoelectric effect
The emission of electrons from the surface of a material following the absorption of
electromagnetic radiation.

Give us feedback on this content:

Register for FREE to stop seeing ads
FULL TEXT[ edit ]

In the late 18th century, great progress in physics had been made. Classical
Newtonian physics at the time was widely accepted in the scientific community for
its ability to accurately explain and predict many phenomena. However, by the early
20th century, physicists discovered that the laws of classical mechanics are not
applicable at the atomic scale, and experiments such as the photoelectric effect
completely contradicted the laws of classical physics. As a result of these
observations, physicists articulated a set of theories now known as quantum
mechanics. In some ways, quantum mechanics completely changed the way
physicists viewed the universe, and it also marked the end of the idea of a
clockwork universe (the idea that universe was predictable).

Electromagnetic radiation

Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is a form of energy with both wave-like and particlelike properties; visible light being a well-known example. From the wave
perspective, all forms of EM radiation may be described in terms of their wavelength
and frequency. Wavelength is the distance from one wave peak to the next, which
can be measured in meters. Frequency is the number of waves that pass by a given
point each second. While the wavelength and frequency of EM radiation may vary,
its speed in a vacuum remains constant at 3.0 x 108 m/sec, the speed of light. The
wavelength or frequency of any specific occurrence of EM radiation determine its
position on the electromagnetic spectrum and can be calculated from the following
equation:

where c is the constant 3.0 x 108 m/sec (the speed of light in a vacuum), =
wavelength in meters, and =frequency in hertz (1/s). It is important to note that by
using this equation, one can determine the wavelength of light from a given
frequency and vice versa.

Wavelength of EM radiation

The distance used to determine the wavelength is shown. Light has many properties
associated with its wave nature, and the wavelength in part determines these
properties.

The Discovery of the Quantum

The wave model cannot account for something known as the photoelectric effect.
This effect is observed when light focused on certain metals emits electrons. For
each metal, there is a minimum threshold frequency of EM radiation at which the
effect will occur. Replacement of light with twice the intensity and half the
frequency will not produce the same outcome, contrary to what would be expected
if light acted strictly as a wave. In that case, the effect of light would be cumulative
the light should add up, little by little, until it caused electrons to be emitted.
Instead, there is a clear-cut minimum frequency of light that triggers electron
ejection. The implication was that frequency is directly proportional to energy, with
the higher light frequencies having more energy. This observation led to the
discovery of the minimum amount of energy that could be gained or lost by an
atom. Max Planck named this minimum amount the "quantum," plural "quanta,"
meaning "how much." One photon of light carries exactly one quantum of energy.

Planck is considered the father of the Quantum Theory. According to Planck: E=h,
where h is Planck's constant (6.62606957(29) x 10-34 J s), is the frequency, and E
is energy of an electromagnetic wave. Planck (cautiously) insisted that this was
simply an aspect of the processes of absorption and emission of radiation and had
nothing to do with the physical reality of the radiation itself. However, in 1905,
Albert Einstein reinterpreted Planck's quantum hypothesis and used it to explain the
photoelectric effect, in which shining light on certain materials can eject electrons
from the material.

More Evidence for a Particle Theory of Energy

When an electric current is passed through a gas, some of the electrons in the gas
molecules move from their ground energy state to an excited state that is further
away from their nuclei. When the electrons return to the ground state, they emit
energy of various wavelengths. A prism can be used to separate the wavelengths,
making them easy to identify. If light acted only as a wave, then there should be a
continuous rainbow created by the prism. Instead, there are discrete lines created
by different wavelengths. This is because electrons release specific wavelengths of
light when moving from an excited state to the ground state.

Emission spectrum of nitrogen gas

Each wavelength of light emitted (each colored line) corresponds to a transition of

an electron from one energy level to another, releasing a quantum of light with
defined energy (color).

Source: Boundless. Planck's Quantum Theory. Boundless Chemistry. Boundless, 12

Aug. 2015. Retrieved 23 Sep. 2015 from
https://www.boundless.com/chemistry/textbooks/boundless-chemistrytextbook/introduction-to-quantum-theory-7/the-nature-of-light-63/planck-s-quantumtheory-296-7514/