Most derivations of Planck's Radiation use a classical model of the atom and don't really explain the mechanism behind it. How exactly does a vibrating atom or a lattice of atoms(like in a solid), release photons? Electrons moving to different energy levels release photons in the process but how is this related to atoms vibrating?
Asked
Active
Viewed 60 times
1 Answers
0
Planck radiation is a thermodynamic effect - more precisely, it is a photon gas in thermal equilibrium. Ubiquitous (but old-fashioned) derivations often derive it as radiation in equilibrium with a hypothetical black body, which consists of very large number of atoms and hence can be described thermodynamically. Applying thermodynamic concepts to a single atom doesn't make sense (exception is an atom coupled to a heat bath, but this is not related to the subject.)
Roger V.
- 68,984