Thermodynamics of Radiation

Abstract

Classical thermodynamics is combined with elementary electro-magnetic theory to analyse black-body radiant energy. This leads quickly to the Stefan—Boltzmann fourth-power radiation law and then to Wien's laws, including the ‘foundryman's law’. The student is warned, however, about certain fallacies arising from misapplying equilibrium theory to non-equilibrium situations and invited to consider some of the cosmological implications following from this re-enactment of the initiation of modern quantum theory. Points for examples or examination questions are indicated.