First step toward the Quantum, Light in a Box. Take a box, in thermal equilibrium at a certain temperature, hot enough so that we can observe the light coming out of a little hole. Think oven.
First step toward the Quantum, Light in a Box. Take a box, in thermal equilibrium at a certain temperature, hot enough so that we can observe the light coming out of a little hole. Think oven.
- Along x, p waves, p=1,2,3…
- Along y, q waves, q=1,2,3...
- Along z, r waves, r=1,2,3…
these are the “normal modes” of Maxwell wave equation. All have same average thermal energy for given temperature.