The Thermal Radiation Formula of Planck (1900)

TL;DR

This paper reviews the historical derivation of Planck's Radiation Formula, analyzing its development, the role of discreteness, and contrasting interpretations by key physicists and historians.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive historical and critical analysis of the derivation and interpretation of Planck's Radiation Formula, clarifying misconceptions and the evolution of its understanding.

Findings

Discreteness was central to Planck's original derivation.

Historical interpretations of Planck's work vary among physicists and historians.

The paper clarifies the debate on whether discontinuity was evident in Planck's initial work.

Abstract

We review the derivation of Planck's Radiation Formula on the light of recent studies in its centenary. We discuss specially the issue of discreteness, Planck's opinion on his discovery, and the critical analysis on the contributions by Ehrenfest, Einstein, Lorentz, etc. We also address the views of T.S. Kuhn, which conflict with the conventional interpretation that discontinuty was already found by Planck.