Max Planck

• In 1901, Max Planck

initiated Quantum
Physics by
presenting his
Quantum Theory.

• He was awarded
Nobel Prize in
Physics in 1918.
 Planck’s Quantum Theory
a) Energy is not emitted or absorbed
continuously. It is emitted or absorbed in the
form of wave packets or quanta.

In case of light the quantum

of energy is often
called Photon.
 Planck’s Quantum Theory
b) The amount of energy associated with
quantum of radiation is directly
proportional to the frequency (ν) of
radiation i.e.
E 
E  h
Where, h =Planck’s Constant =6.626 x 10-34 J.s
 Planck’s Quantum Theory
c) A body can emit or absorb energy only
in terms of integral multiple of a
quantum/photon.

E  nh
Where n= 1, 2, 3,….
 Frequency
Definition:
“The number of waves passing
through a point per second is called
frequency.”

Unit:
s-1 or Hz (Hertz)
 Wavelength
Definition:
“The distance between two
adjacent crests of troughs is called
Wavelength.”
Unit:
m (meter)
 Energy & Wavelength
Since, 1
 

c
 


where, c= Velocity of Light = 3x108ms-1

According to Planck’s Quantum Theory:

E  h
Therefore,
c
E h

Thus greater the Wavelength of radiation,
lower will be the energy
 Wave Number
Definition:
“The reciprocal of Wavelength is
called Wave number.”
Unit:
oA (Angstrom) or nm (Nanometers)
1 oA = 10-10m
1 nm = 10-9m
 Energy & Wave Number
As we know that,
1


Therefore,

E  hc
Thus energy of radiation is directly
proportional to wave number.
 EXAMPLE 2.7
A photon of light with energy 10-19 J is
emitted by a source of light.

a) Convert this light into Wavelength, frequency

and wave number of the photon in terms of
meters, Hertz and m-1 respectively.

b) Convert this energy of photon into ergs and

calculate the wavelength in cm, frequency in Hz
and wave number in cm-1.
 Solution (a)
Data:
Energy of Photon = E = 10-19 J
Wavelength = λ = ? in m
Frequency = ν = ? in Hz
Wave Number = = ? im m-1
 Frequency in Hz
E  h
E

h
19
10 J
 34
 1.51  1014 1
s or Hz
6.626  10 J .s
 Wavelength
c


c


1
3  10 ms
8
 14 1
 1.98  10 6
m
1.51  10 s
 Wave Number

1


1 1
 6
 5.0  105
m
1.98  10 m
 Solution (b)
Data:
Energy = E = ? in erg
Wavelength = λ = ? in cm
Frequency = ν = ? in Hz
Wave Number = = ? in cm-1
 Energy in erg
1J  10 erg
7

19 12
E  10  10 erg  10
7
erg
Value of Planck’s Constant is also converted
into erg
34
h  6.626  10  10 erg .s
7

27
h  6.626  10 erg .s
 Frequency in Hz
E  h
E
 
h
12
10 erg
   27
6.626  10 erg .s
1
 1.51  10 s 14
or Hz
 Wavelength in cm
c


c


1
3  10 cms
10
 14 1
 1.98  10 4
cm
1.51  10 s
Wave Number in cm-1

1


1
 4
1.98  10 cm
1
 5.0  10 cm
3