Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

Problem 1
Comparison of Rayleigh-Jeans and Plank for-
mulas for the black body spectrum.

Part a
Draw the node lines for the (nx , ny ) = (1, 1);
(1, 2); (2, 1); and (2, 2) standing wave modes
on a square medium with sides of length L.
Figure 2: Standing Wave Modes: (nx , ny ) = (1, 2)
Show that nx λx = 2L. Show that the density
of modes is G(f ) = 8πf 2 /c3 . It is defined
as the number of modes per volume per fre-
quency interval, i.e. G(f ) df ≡ d3 n/V . Re-
memb er that nx,y,z > 0 and there are two
independent polarizations of light.

Figures 1 through 4 show the standing wave nodes for

the given modes on a square medium with sides of
length L.

Figure 3: Standing Wave Modes: (nx , ny ) = (2, 1)

Figure 3 shows that:

nx λ x = 2L
2λx = 2L
λx = L

Figure 1: Standing Wave Modes: (nx , ny ) = (1, 1)

(Note, this next demonstration required [Tipler &
Llewellyn, pp. 333-334] to complete.) To show that
Figures 1 and 3 show how a standing wave in the G(f ) = 8πf 2 /c3 , we start by recognizing that G(f ) =
medium is distributed across the medium. In Figure dN , where N is the number of states of the system
1, only half of the total wavelength of the wave is in V df
inside of a given shell of radius n, V is volume and f
the medium. In Figure 3, the entire wave is within the
is the frequency of the system. We continue by recog-
medium. Figure 1 shows that:
nizing that the modes of the system, represented in nx ,
ny , and nz , can only be positive integers. The state
space, then, can be represented by 18 th of a sphere. the
nx λx = 2L part of the sphere in the positive octant. So we get:
(1) λx = 2L
4πn3
  
1 1
λx = L N =
2 8 3

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

 2
2f L
π c L
G(f ) =
Vc
4πf 2 L3
=
V c3

But L3 = V , and we actually have twice as many states

since there are two polarities of light, so we end up with:
Figure 4: Standing Wave Modes: (nx , ny ) = (2, 2)
8πf 2
G(f ) =
πn3 c3
=
6
And now, we can easily calculate dN in terms of dn: Part b
π3n2 πn2 The probability of a mode having energy 
dN = dn = dn
6 2 is proportional to e−/kT , the Boltzman dis-
tribution. Let β = 1/kT ´∞, and integrate
The infinitesimal frequency, df , can by found in terms of the total probability Z = 0 e−β d to ob-
the infinitesimal number of modes in any one direction, tain the normalization factor. Z(β) is also
dn, by: called the partition function. Show that hi =
−d ln Z/dβ = kT . Show that this leads to
the Rayleigh-Jeans formula for the spectral in-
2L = nλ tensity of black body radiation.
nc
nλ =
f ´∞
nc The integral Z = 0
e−β d is relatively straight-
L = forward to find:
2f
2f L
n =
c ˆ ∞
c
df = dn Z = e−β d
2L 0
 ∞
1 −β
= − e
G(f ) is then: β 0
   
1 −β(∞) 1
dN πn2
2 dn
= − e − − e−β(0)
G(f ) = = c
β β
V df V 2L dn 1
 2
πn 2L
 = 0+
G(f ) = β
2 Vc 1
Z =
πn2 L β
=
Vc 1
Z = 1
kT
2f L
Substituting in n = c : Z = kT

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

´
To find hi, we use the definition hui = ´ uf (x) dx ,
Now that we have G(f ) and hi, we can calculate the
f (x) dx
where, in this case, f (x) = e , and we integrate Rayleigh-Jeans equation, u(f ) = G(f ) hi:
−β

over the domain of , which is from 0 to ∞, since there

are not
´ ∞negative energy states . We’ve ´ ∞ already calcu-
lated 0 f () d = kT . This leaves 0 e−β d. Note, u(f ) = G(f ) hi
however, that e −β d −β
= − dβ e , so we can write: 8πf 2
= kT
c3
ˆ ∞ ˆ ∞
d
e−β d = − e−β d Part c
dβ
0 0
ˆ ∞
d
= − e−β d Assume the energy is not continuous, but
dβ 0 quantized to discrete levels  = nhf for
dZ n = 0, 1, 2, . . . Repeat theP calculation of the
= − ∞
dβ normalization factor Z = n=0 e−βn . Cal-
1 culate hi. Show that this leads to Planck’s
=
β 2 formula.
= kT 2
The normalization factor, in this P∞ case,−βhfcan

n be
hi, then, becomes: found by recognizing that Z = n=0 e =
−hf /kT n
P∞
1
n=0 e = 1−e−hf /kT
. As in part (b), we
2
(kT ) can note that:
hi = = kT
kT d
n e−βn = − e−βn
Also: dβ
dZ
= −
dβ
d ln( β1 ) 1 d 1
− = − 1 − β −2 = − −βhf
dβ β
dβ 1 − e
(−1) −e−βhf (−hf )


β
= = − 2
β2 (1 − e−βhf )
1 hf e−βhf
= =
β (1 − e−βhf )
2
= kT
So once again:
It’s also possible to show this by noting that d ln Z =
1
Z dZ, so we have:
− dZ
dβ
dZ
hi =
Z
dβ
hi = − hf e−βhf
Z (1−e−βhf )2
1 dZ = 1
= − 1−e−hf /kT
Z dβ !
d (ln Z) hf e−βhf  
= − = 2 1 − e−hf /kT
dβ (1 − e−βhf )

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

hf e−βhf For hf  kT , we have:

=
1 − e−βhf
hf hf
= 1 hi =
e−βhf
−1 ehf − 1
hf
=
eβhf − 1 Since, by l’Hopital’s rule, ehf − 1 → ∞ faster than
hf hf → ∞,hi ≈ 0.
=
ehf /kT − 1

Now, to derive Planck’s formula, we put hi together Problem 2

with G(f ) to find u(f ):
Some of the fundamental constants in SI units
are:
u(f ) = G(f ) hi
8πf 2 hf h = 6.62607 × 10−34 J · s
= c = 299792458 m/s
c3 ehf /kT − 1
e = 1.60218 × 10−19 C
1
Part d ke = 8.98755 × 109 N · m2 /C2 =
4π0
Show that hεi = kT in the limit hf  kT . kB = 1.38065 × 10−23 J/K
Show that hi ≈ 0 in the limit hf  kT , me = 9.10938 × 10−31 kg
thus solving the ultravilot catastrophe. Quali- mp = 1.67262 × 10−27 kg
tatively, this is because the temperature is too
low to excite even one photon (n=1). mn = 1.67493 × 10−27 kg

Note that 1eV = e · 1V is a compound

If hf  kT , we can use the Taylor expansion for ex :
unit of energy. Calculate the following use-
ful combinations of constants in the units
x2 x3 specified: hc [eV · nm], ~c = 2π h
c [MeV · fm],
1+x+ + + ···
2! 3! ke e2 [eV · nm], α = ke e2 /~c [1], kT [meV] at
room temperature T = 20◦ C = 293.15 K,
Ignoring the x2 and higher terms, we get: and me , mp , mn MeV/c2 . We will use
these combinations in natural units repeatedly
hf throughout the rest of the semester.
ehf /kT = 1 +
kT
NOTE: The mass of the proton and neutron in kg as
And: stated in the original problem is incorrect. These should
be ×10−27 , not ×10−24 .
hf hc [eV · nm]:
hi =
hf /kT + 1 − 1
hf
=
hf /kT hc = (6.62607 × 10−34 J · s)(299792458 m/s)
= kT = 1.98644 × 10−25 J · m

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

 
We convert this by dividing througy by e and multiplying me , mp , mn MeV/c2 :
by 109 nm/m:
For each, we find mc2 , dividing the mass by the elemen-
tary charge and multiplying by c2 to find the energy.
1.98644 × 10−25 J · m
 
109 nm/m


hc =
1.60218 × 10−19 C
9.10938 × 10−31 kg
 
= 1239.84 eV · nm me c 2
= (299792458 m/s)2
1.60218 × 10−19 C
h
~c = [MeV · fm]:
2π c me = 0.510998 MeV/c2
   6 
1239.84 eV · nm MeV 10 fm
~c =
2π 106 eV nm
= 197.327 MeV · fm 1.67262 × 10−27 kg
 
2
mp c = (299792458 m/s)2
2
1.60218 × 10−19 C
ke e [eV · nm]:
mp = 938.271 MeV/c2

N · m2
 
ke e2 8.98755 × 109 1.60218 × 10−19 C


=
C2
1.67493 × 10−27 kg
 
= 1.43997 × 10−9 eV · m mn c 2
= (299792458 m/s)2
1.60218 × 10−19 C
We convert this by multiplying by 109 nm/m: mn = 939.565 MeV/c2
ke e2 = 1.43997 × 10−9 eV · m 109 nm/m

= 1.43997 eV · nm Problem 3.24

α = ke e2 /~c [1]:
The wavelengths of visible light range from
about 380 nm to about 750 nm.
ke e2
α =
~c
1.43997 eV · nm Part a
=
197.327 eV · nm
What is the range of photon energies (in eV)
= 7.29735 × 10−3
in visible light?
1
=
137.05
Each photon has energy E = hf = hc/λ. hc ≈
kT [meV] at room temperature T = 20◦ C = 293.15 K: 1240 eV · nm. So at 380 nm, each photon has energy:

1240 eV · nm
1.38065 × 10−23 J/K E≈ ≈ 3.26 eV
kT = (293.15 K) 380 nm
1.60218 × 10−19 C
 
−2

1000 meV
= 2.52617 × 10 eV At 750 nm, each photon has energy:
eV
= 25.2617 meV
1 1240 eV · nm
E≈ ≈ 1.65 eV
= eV 750 nm
40

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

Part b
A typical FM radio station’s broadcast fre-
quency is about 100 MHz. What is the energy
of an FM photon of the frequency?
NOTE: I assume they meant “of that frequency”.
Each photon has energy E = hf . So, at 100 MHz,
each photon has energy:
Part b
Find the stopping potential if the wavelength
of the incident light is 300 nm.
The stopping potential is given by eV0 = hf − φ, or
V0 = hfe−φ . However, we’re given the wavelength, not
the frequency, so we must use this form of the same
equation:

6.62607 × 10−34 J · s hc
 
−φ
E = (100 MHz) V0 = λ
1.60218 × 10−19 C e
≈ 4.14 × 10−7 eV 1240 eV·nm
300 nm − 1.9 eV
≈
e
≈ 2.23 V
Problem 3.26
(Note that the 1/e cancels with the e in eV to leave
The work function for cesium is 1.9 eV, the volts.
lowest of any metal.

Part c
Part a
Find the stopping potential if the wavelength
Find the threshold frequency and wavelength
of the incident light is 400 nm.
for the photoelectric effect.

The work function is φ = hft = hc Similar to part b:

λt . Since h and hc are
just constants, ft and λt can be easily found:

hc
λ −φ
φ V0 =
ft = e
h 1240 eV·nm
− 1.9 eV
400 nm
(1.9 V) 1.60218 × 10−19 C


≈
= e
6.62607 × 10−34 J · s ≈ 1.20 V
≈ 4.59 × 1014 Hz

Problem 3.31
hc
λt =
φ Under optimum conditions, the eye will per-
1240 eV · nm ceive a flash if about 60 photons arrive at the
≈
1.9 eV cornea. How much energy is this in joules if
≈ 653 nm the wavelength of the light is 550 nm?

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

hc
The energy of each photon E = λ : The corresponding values for f (θC ) = 1 − cos θC are:

f (0) = 0
hc f (45◦ ) = 0.293
E =
λ ◦
f (90 ) = 1
1240 eV · nm ◦
≈ f (135 ) = 1.707
550 nm
≈ 2.25 eV
Plotting λ2 versus f , we get Figure 5.
If 60 photons with this energy arrive at the cornea, this
becomes (60 photons) (2.25 eV/photon) = 135 eV. To
convert this to Joules, just multiply by e:

≈ (135 eV) 1.60218 × 10−19 C

E
≈ 2.17 × 10−17 J

Problem 3.40
Compton’s equation (Equation 3-25) indicates
that a graph of λ2 versus (1 − cos θ) should
be a straight line whose slope h/mc allows a
determination of h. Given that the wavelength
of λ1 in Figure 3-17 is 0.0711 nm, compute
λ2 for each scattering angle in the figure and
graph the result versus (1 − cos θ). What is
the slope of the line?

Using the calibration of the Bragg spectrometer, θs = Figure 5: Compton Scattering for λ1 = 0.0711 nm
◦ 0 ◦
6 42 = 6.7 , and 2d sin θ = mλ, we can determine
0.0711 nm
2d
m = sin 6.7◦ = 0.6094 nm. From that, we can cal- The y-intercept of the best fit line for that graph is
0.07117 nm, and the slope is 0.002432 nm = λc . The
culate λ2 values using λ2 (θB ) = 2d


m sin θB , taking θB
q
2 −8 χ2
from the graphs in [Tipler & Llewellyn, p.137]. We can χ = 1.59 × 10 nm, and δy = 2 ≈ 0.0009 nm.
also calculate 1 − cos θc using the angles specified for
each graph.
This yields the following for the function λ2 (θB ): Problem 3.47
When a beam of monochromatic x-rays is in-
λ2 (6◦ 420 ) = 0.0711 nm cident on a particular NaCl crystal, Bragg re-
flection in the first order (i.e., with m = 1)
λ2 (6◦ 470 ) = 0.0720 nm
◦ 0
occurs at θ = 20◦ . The value of d = 0.28 nm.
λ2 (6 56 ) = 0.0736 nm What is the minimum voltage at which the
◦ 0
λ2 (7 06 ) = 0.0753 nm x-ray tube can be operating?

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Wayne Witzke ProblemSet #2 PHY 361

Bragg’s Law states that 2d sin θ = mλ, and we also 1 (1 − cos θ) 1

= +
know that λm = 1240VeV m
·nm
. Since m = 1,we can E2 mc2 E1
easily solve for Vm : E1 E1 (1 − cos θ)
= +1
E2 mc2
E1
1240 eV · nm E2 = E1 (1−cos θ)
eVm = mc2 +1
2d sin θ
1240 eV · nm E1 − E2 = Ek gives the energy transfered to the elec-
=
2(0.28 nm) sin 20◦ tron. To maximize Ek , we need to minimize E2 . To
= 6474 eV minimize E2 , we want E1 (1 − cos θ) as large as pos-
sible, which will happen when cos θ = −1, or when
Dividing through by e to get volts yields 6474 V. θ = 180◦ . This, along with the substitution for E2 ,
(and using Eγ = E1 ) gives:

Problem 3.49 Eγ − Ek =
Eγ
2Eγ
mc2 +1
Show that the maximum kinetic energy, Ek , Eγ
called the Compton edge, that a recoiling elec- = 2Eγ +mc2
tron can carry away from a Compton scatter- mc2
ing event is given by: Eγ mc2
=
2Eγ + mc2
hf 2Eγ2
Ek = = Eγ mc2
1 + mc2 /2hf 2Eγ + mc2 Ek = Eγ −
2Eγ + mc2


Eγ 2Eγ + mc2 − Eγ mc2
[Wikipedia helped with this one slightly.] We know that =
the relationship between the wavelengths of the light 2Eγ + mc2
and the angle of scattering is given by the equation: 2Eγ2 + Eγ mc2 − Eγ mc2
=
2Eγ + mc2
h 2Eγ2
λ2 − λ1 = (1 − cos θ) Ek =
mc 2Eγ + mc2

We also know that wavelength is related to energy by Now that we have this, we can easily substitue Eγ = hf
the equation: back into the equation to get the other form from the
problem statement:
hc
Eγ = hf =
λ
2(hf )2
Ek =
Substituting into the first equation, we get: 2hf + mc2
2(hf )2
2hf
= 2
1 + mc
2hf
hc hc h
− = (1 − cos θ) hf
E2 E1 mc Ek = 2
1 1 1 1 + mc
2hf
− = (1 − cos θ)
E2 E1 mc2

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