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The Planck Radiation Law: Exercises Using the Cosmic Background Radiation Data

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S. Bluestone

Department of Chemistry, California State University, Fresno, Fresno, CA 93740

J. Chem. Educ., 2001, 78 (2), p 215

DOI: 10.1021/ed078p215

Publication Date (Web): February 1, 2001

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

Max Planck's blackbody radiation law is an early encounter that physical chemistry students have with quantum mechanics. To enhance students' interest, three simple exercises are presented based on the cosmic microwave background radiation data (CBR), the "relic" from the big bang primeval explosion. The CBR data free from atmospheric effects were obtained in 1989 from the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite, which confirmed that all of space is filled with isotropic microwave radiation characterized by a single temperature corresponding to the Planck distribution law. From the radiation distribution data students are asked to find the characteristic temperature, verify Wien's displacement law, and calculate the Stefan-Boltzmann constant. The COBE satellite radiation distribution data (including weighting factors) are given.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Feature):

Resources for Student Assessment

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Computer-Based Learning

Keywords (Subject):

Quantum Chemistry

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

An Experimental Determination of the Second Radiation Constant
Paul Coppens
Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (11), 1316
- An Experimental Determination of the Second Radiation Constant
  Paul Coppens
  Journal of Chemical Education2003 80 (11), 1316
  The second radiation constant c2 (= hc/k) is determined by applying both the Planck and the Stefan radiation laws to the radiation emitted by a tungsten filament acting as a "grey body". The value obtained for c2 is in good agreement with the literature ...
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