The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes

The mathematical models of thermal radiation .

..Light and matter are both single entities and the apparent duality arises in the
limitations of our language (Heisenberg)
George Mpantes www. mpantes. gr

Introduction .
Light from hot bodies
Classical statistics of radiation
Quantum statistics of radiation
The calculations with infinity
The series and the improper integral
The Euler-Maclaurin formula
Introduction .
For the measuring of thermal radiation, to mathematical models of infinity ere
proposed, the improper integral and the infinite series. The e!perimental physics re"ected
the first and #erified the second . The mathematical models are referred in numbers, as
mathematics is the science of numbers, here e!periments are imaginary, e ha#e the
mathematical continuity of numbers and the discontinuity of radiation. $n this sense e
understand more clearly the %ythagorean dictum& '(#erything is number' since the
interpretation of nature is in#estigated through numbers, in radiation the series replaces the
integral.
)ll bodies, roc*s, sno, oceans ,oursel#es, emit radiation. Most of it is in#isible to
humans, but that does not ma*e them less real. The classical orld#ie, namely that it
consists of matter (particles) and radiation, could be the basis for a description of all natural
phenomena. +e consider as point,particles (before the disco#ery of the proton) electrons
and light radiation the Ma!ell electromagnetic radiation, hich is emitted by an accelerated
charge or retarded relati#e to the obser#er. The energy radiated from a charged particle can
be absorbed by another that is located ithin the electromagnetic field of the first. The
mechanism of emission-absorption of radiation by matter is the mechanism of interaction
1
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
of radiation ith matter, and it-s understanding is important for interpreting the beha#ior of
matter. .ut classical physics fails to e!plain ade/uately this mechanism, and this has
moti#ated the creation of /uantum physics.
Light from hot bodies.
+hat connects mater and light0 $t is the heat. $t is *non that all material bodies become
luminous hen heated to a sufficiently high temperature. 1n cosmic scale sun and stars
emit light because their surfaces are #ery hot. +e call thermal radiation the electromagnetic
radiation emitted by bodies because of their temperature. ( black body radiation physicsgg)
The study therefore of the interaction light, matter ac/uires e!perimental entity and
documentation through the heat, namely the thermodynamic energy e!change beteen light
and matter, therefore is in#estigated ho a body radiates in heat. $n this physics of heat and
light e!perimental guide is
spectrum of light, hich is
emitted by substances either
found in high temperatures or
sub"ected to electrical
discharges. The spectra of solids
and li/uids are continuous, these
of gases discontinuous and
characteristics of the gas.
$t is a common e!perience that at comparati#ely lo temperatures , as in the case of room
heating units, one gets radiant heat nut no #isible light. The surface of a material body that is
at a certain temperature T emits electromagnetic radiation, hose spectrum is continuous.
The emission is due to thermal e!citation of the electrical charges of the substance (heat
radiation). Ho much radiation is emitted (energy is the intense of spectral line) and at hat
fre/uency0 These are e!perimentally measured by spectra ,,a gloing electric resistance ith
temperature abo#e 23 333 emits a bright light hich hoe#er, loo*s yelloish as compared
ith the light of the brilliant electric arc, operating at a temperature beteen 43333,53333,
and described in figure6, (Gamo). +e see the obser#ed distribution of intensity u(n)
beteen different a#e lengths in the radiation emitted by material bodies at different
temperatures. Thus as the temperature goes up, the emitted radiation becomes rapidly more
intensi#e , and reacher in the short a#e lengths, tends to 7ero for #ery small and large
fre/uencies. uma! shos a fre/uency for hich the energy distribution e!hibits a ma!imum,
depending on the temperature. .y increasing the temperature increases and the fre/uency
that corresponds to the ma!imum of the distribution. )lso it is found e!perimentally that the
location of the pea* and the amount of energy transmitted is independent of the surface
material. The fact that the cur#e u (n, T), is independent of the material, in contrast to the
linear spectra of gases or the continuous spectra of non,blac* bodies, shos that it can be
2
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
interpreted without any reference to the atomic structure of matter. (.lac* body)
6

This is the phenomenon, and theoretical physics called to in#estigate, ith e!perimental tool,
the spectra.
Light emission by hot bodies is sub"ect to to important las during the second half
of the last century&
!ien"s law& the a#e length corresponding to the ma!imum intensity in the spectrum
is in#ersely proportional to the (absolute)b temperature of the emitting body
#tefan $%olt&mann law & the total of energy emitted by a hot bodyis proportional to
the fourth poer of it-s (absolute) temperature.
Hoe#er none of the to las do not sol#e the basic problem of interpretation of
emissi#ity, the ability born by each 8 in the spectrum of a blac* body at temperature T. For
this e need to establish the functional dependence of energy u in terms of 8 and T, the
u(8,9).
The mathematics of thermal radiation
Classical statistics of radiation
The classical statistical treatment of the e/uilibrium of blac* body radiation in a ca#ity,
considers the radiation from the standpoint of a#e motion in a continuous medium . Here the
blac*body radiation is modeled as the radiation emitted from oscillating charged particles of the
ob"ects surface, hich are an homomorphism of standing a#es inside the body.. These oscillations
are produced by the thermal motions of the charged particles. $f e treat each particle as a simple
harmonic oscillator , then the energy ( of the oscillators can ta'e on any (alue )classic physics*,
hich is conser#ed because energy is conser#ed.
:ince there are many oscillating charged particles , e need to consider a #ery large number
of identical oscillating systems. This indeed suggests the possibility of accounting for the spectral
distribution by some statistical considerations similar to the *inetic theory of gases.(Lindsay) ;<=
<>?@A=;8BAC<= DC= ? <E=FGDH CI8 JCKJ=GI8 ;LGKCI8 <8K G?8K@< DM;?L GA JLN8DCOC< 8 AP8<=
QRS>8
2
Tc
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$n %lanc*-s time, it as *non that that the probability that a collection of identical
systems at the same temperature T but starting from different classical initial conditions
ould ha#e an energy (, as proportional to the .olt7mann factor
1
.lac* body is an ideal body to study the phenomenon in /uestion, hich is appro!imated by
the alls of a closed ca#ity, here e study the radiation emitted, and e!iting of a hole small relati#e
to the dimensions of the ca#ity (U8@E=CJD>?LV?H))
3
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
e
,(TWt
(6)
here * is the .olt7mann constant.
Let-s recall the definition of probability. Generally gi#en X possible e#ents A6, A2, .AX the
probability % that an e#ent An ill occur is defined to be
occur can event any ways of number
occur can ways
) (
n
total
of number
P
n

=
+hen e concern oursel#es in the a#erage beha#ior of a collection , e are using a method
commonly called statistical. Here the particle concept remains as fundamental but e do not
describe hat each particle of the collection is doing at e#ery instant but describe the a#erage
beha#ior of each.
$n classical statistical mechanics of continuum distribution, e are forming the a#erage
of f(!) for !eYa,bZ by multiplying it by the possibility %(!) that f(!) shall lie in the prescribed inter#al
about this #alue and integrating o#er all #alues of the f(!) components #i7

>= < ) 2 .( .......... .......... ) ( ) ( ) ( dx x P x f x f

This is essentially the definition of a eight a#erage, as each f(!) #alue carries a eight
proportional to the possibility that a system shall ha#e this f(!) #alue.
From (6) the possibility for an oscillator to ha#e energy ( is
) 3 ....( .......... .......... .......... ) (
0
/
/

=
kT E
kT E
e
e
E P
Ha#ing the results from the improper integrals
1 xe 0
1
0
x -
0
= > =

a
dx e
ax
+e ha#e for the mean #alue of the energy of the oscillator

= >= <
0
) 4 .( .......... .......... .......... ) ( . kT E P E E
The energy-s density [ of the radiation is
[RX . \(] ..(^)
here X is the number of the oscillating charged particles in unit of #olume ith fre/uency
8 , and finally from (^) and classical a#e theory is
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The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
) 6 .........( ..........

) ! (
3
2
kT
c
t R

=
$t is the +ayleigh-,eans radiation law
and results in an _ultra-(iolet catastrophy` ith infinite total radiated energy since T8
2
ab
as 8ab, that is all energy should long ago ha#e escaped from matter in a catastrophie burst of
ultra#iolet radiation. 9he [yleigh cdeans la as deri#ed #ieing light as electromagnetic a#es
go#erned by Ma!ell-s e/uations , hich forced %lanc* in his _act of despair` to gi#e up the a#e
model and replace it by the statistics of _ /uanta`, #ieing light as a stream of particles or photons.
Quantum statistics of radiation .
%lanc*-s ingenious idea as to purpose the folloing radical hypothesis& the energy (
could not ta*e on "ust any #alue but only certain discrete #alues called _/uanta` of energy. His
model as that a lump of matter could be represented by innumerable particles (the oscillators)
here all fre/uencies of oscillation being including. These absorb heat and light energy and gi#e
energy off again. The lump of matter absorbs energy by getting arm. )n oscillator ith e8<H
C<V<8CICfH ith fre/uency 8 can absorb or emit radiation only in /uantities -.n/ nR3,6,2,He
suggested that higher fre/uencies motion meant higher energy. Thus he proposed that the energy
of /uanta be multiplied ith the fre/uency 8, that is
(nRnh8(g)
here the constant of proportionality needed to gi#e energy units he called h , hich is
no *non as 0lanc'"s constant.
Let the e#ent An be a measurement of the energy of the system at temperature T that
yields an energy (Rnh8. The probability of such an e#ent , according to (6) is
) ....( .......... .......... .......... ) (
0
/
/

=
n
kT nh
kT nh
n
e
e
P

here n runs from unity to a #ery large number , which we may ta'e effecti(ely
as infinity )Lindsay*. The sums then become infinite series and e can rite the relation (5)
transformed for the discontinuous distribution as
) " ...( .......... ) (
0
/
0
/
0

=
= >= <
n
kT nh
n
kT nh
n
n
n
e
e nh
E P E

#
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
For ! 1
/
< =

x e
kT h
, (h) becomes (limits of geometrical poer series)
) 10 .....(
1 1
1
...... 1
....)$ 1 (
.......... 1
....) 3 2 (
/ 2
2
2
3 2

=
+ + +
+ + +
=
+ + +
+ + +
>= <
kT h
e
h
x
x h
x x
x x x h
x x
x x x h
E

This is %lanc*-s a#erage energy formula from hich %lanc* as able to sho that the
0lanc'"s energy density of the emitted radiation from the blac*,body could be gi#en
) 11 ....( .......... ..........
1
1
) ! (
/ 3
3

=
kT h
e c
h
T R

for h8\\;9 and the relation e

!
i6j!
and (66)becomes the [aylegh,deans formula, and %lanc*-s la agrees ith
e!periments in the infinite fre/uency range.
$f e integrate (66) e find the total energy density of blac* body
kR)t
5
(:tefan c .olt7mann la.)
The calculations with infinity.
The spirit of the or* of %lanc* is based on a mathematical tric*, in#ented by the
Gree*s, hereby a baffling smoothness ( .anesh Hoffmann) is replaced by a series of
minute "er*s much more amenable to mathematical treatment.
This tric*, the foundation of the calculus is a simple one in it-s
general aspects. For e!ample if e try to calculate (not to
measure) the length of the circumference of a circle e find the
smooth circumference offers little mathematical foothold. Thus ,
e mar* the circle into four, eight, 2
5
, 2
^
, and so on e/ual parts
and "oin the mar*s by straight lines as shon. For each of these regular polygons it is
possible to calculate the total perimeter, and it is ob#ious that as e ta*e more and more
smaller and smaller sides the total length ill come closer and closer to the circumference of
the circle. For instance , the total perimeter of the si!teen,sided figure is much closer to the
circumference of the circle than the sum of the sides of the s/uare. :o the mathematician can
calculate the perimeter for a figure of some general number of sides. Then he lets the number
of sides in his formula increase ithout limit, ha#ing the perimeter of circle. This as the
6
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
Gree* manipulation of the infinity, in Gree* mathematicians there as alays a gap beteen
the real (finite) and the ideal (infinite)
1ristotle used the infinite as ad"ecti#e! denying the real (physical) e!istence of infinity!
since this term contains the active infinity hich realistic natural philosophy did not accept
(larl .oyer). $n commenting the #ie of mathematicians )ristotle said&
.$n point of fact they do not need the infinite and do not use it. They postulate only that the
infinite line may be produced as far as they ishHence for the purpose of the proof , it ill ma*e
no difference to them to ha#e such an infinite instead , hile its e!istence ill be in the sphere of
real magnitude (0hysica iii. 234b)
Eudo5us proposed the method of e!haustion in an a!iom ((uclid m.6). His or* is
based at e#ery point on finite , intuiti#ely clear and logically presice considerations . He
as a mathematician ho as at the same time a scientist ith none of the occult or
mystic on him. He shoed that there is no need to assume the ne!istencen of infinitely
small amounts, one can reach a si7e as small ants ith continued di#isions of a gi#en
si7e. .ut all Gree* mathematicians (including )rchimedes) e!cluded the infinite from
their reasoning. The reasons for this ban are ob#ious& intuition could at the time afford no
clear picture of it , and it had as yet no logical basis.(.oyer) The latter difficulty ha#ing
been remo#ed in the nineteenth century and the former being no considered irrele#ent,
the concept of infinity has been admitted freelly into mathematics. $ndeed mathematics
became independent from intuition and reality, only care about the consistency of the
systems de#eloped, and the problem is in physicists to find if this system is applied or not,
in nature.
The leading modern mathematical concepts in the study of thermal radiation is, the
infinite series and the generalized integral. .oth approaches describe our inability to add
together infinitely many things.. .ut e do this ith series and integrals. The series and the
integral both represent the limiting beha#ior of a sum of finitely many terms, i.e.
6. $n the case of a series e are interested in hat happens to a finite
sum as the number of terms increases ithout bound.
2. $n the case of the integral e are interested in hat happens to a series of the
[iemann sum o#er Ya, bZ ritten
%
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
as the agent (!i c!i,6) R (b,a) Tn of each term decreases tending to 7ero .$n series e
ha#e the distinct infinite, the integral range is produced from the continuous infinite (infinite
di#isibility).
+e can see no the difference beteen series and integrals. The integral represents
the area under the cur#e and sums up e#ery #alue that the cur#e lies on (not "ust integer
coordinateso). The infinite sum only sums the integer #alues and is e/ui#alent to an area
appro!imation (a [iemann sum). More clearly, for series e use discrete #alues summed
o#er integers and for integrals e use #alues hich are in a
continuous inter#al.
.ut all these happen in mathematics! #i7 in numbers
hich are the imaginable behind the phenomena. This
infinite di#isibility e can only imagine as it is
completely lost from super#ision of the mind in the
range of numbers, and the super#ision of the senses in geometry. Xo in the thermal
radiation, it has been e!cluded from physics. This tending to &ero! is an imaginary
e!periment of the mathematician that lea#es the line to di#ide indefinitely! but follo
concei#ably the logical conse/uences of this di#ision! ithout clearly captures the
accuracy! but i m a g $ n e s the approach through e#er denser di#isions since the
infinitesimal is not described in a final di#ision. The to concepts these of limit and
infinite are tided together, after the foundation of the continuum of real numbers.
$n the case of radiation, Gree* attitude seems more 'natural'. The radiation is not
continuous (li*e the continuum of real numbers), and it-s distinctness only roughly
resembles the infinite series, as e ha#e seen in e/uation (S) that the number of
oscillators is a #ery large number , which we may ta'e effecti(ely as infinity . +hat
does that mean0 The oscillators are of course a large but finite number, but e need to
approach a mathematical concept to use it-s model . :o e resort to the series, in a really
strong physical approach.
The numerical (alues of series and improper integrals.
The to concepts are connected ith the following sentence6
$f f (!) is non,negati#e on Ya, b) and decreasing ith deri#ati#es, (as many times as needed),
the to symbols
both con#erge and di#erge together, but do not gi#e the same results. (#en if e *no the
numerical result of one, e can not ha#e the result of the other. For e!ample, if e calculate

The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes

the results

e do not discern any relationship.
The Euler-Maclaurin formula
This formula is an important tool in numerical analysis. +e pro#ide a strong
connection beteen integrals and sums. $t is used to approach integrals by finite sums or to
calculate finite sums and infinite series using integrals.
This approach is e#ident if both con#erge, because the sum is a discrete #ersion of the
integral, and ha#e appro!imately the same shape. The formula of (uler,Maclaurin gi#es us
"ust ho connected the numerical #alues of the sum and the integral.
The first form of formula .
For any function f ith continuous deri#ati#e in Y6, nZ e ha#e


here Y!Z denotes the greatest integer pch (Tom )postol sel.^q3)
The last to terms represent the error that occurs hen the sum of the first member
is approached from

n
dx x f
1
) ( . The formula is useful because f need not be positi#e or
decreasing. +e ha#e #ariations of the formula hen e try to e!tract more information about
the error. For the case of infinite series and generali7ed integrals, the formula describes the
difference beteen their numerical #alues, using higher order deri#ati#es and .ernoulli-s
numbers , but e shall not e!tend. ) result of the formula is
()postol)
(#en the process of formula may establish a numerical appro!imation beteen the
results of classical and /uantum las of radiation, for a suitable function.
"
2 &n
1) x(x
'x
1
) 1 (
1
1
x
1

6
1
1
1
1
2
2
1
2
=
+
=
+
= =

=
n
n
n n
dx
n

=
+ + =
n
k
n n
f dx x f x x dx x f k f
1
1 1
$
) 1 ( ) ( () ) ( ) ( ) (
2
1
0
0
2 2 +
+ =

dx e e
x
n
n
The mathematical models of thermal radiation, George Mpantes
Conclusion& for the physical processes e do not follo mathematics, but the
e!perimentso Mathematics (the mind) is adapted to e!periment, and not #ice #ersa.
#ources
r=>VIG<C=;f AEM<JP< 789:;9-<=>?@;A9 BC98C;:D
s <;C=8?t?VP< C?L GuV<8?H JvG<C?H )physicsgg*
w<FOG<C=;K ;<= JC?=NAP< JC<C=JC=;fH x.yL;AP?L )E-FG*
z=J<MIMf A=H CO8 ;t<8C?GON<8=;f8 )H.I.7AJ=>@?KCLM:LN O9A/C>?@P8>L IQ9AA;AQA*
loncepts and methods of theoretical physics )+obert Lindsay Ro(er*
The strange story of /uantum )%anesh SoffmannRo(er*cience and engineering )
9he great physicists from Galileo to (instein )George GamowRo(er*
The history of the lalculus and its conceptual de#elopment )Carl %.%oyer Ro(er*
:tatistic physics for :tudents of :cience and engineering (Robert Reed, inter,
r=<{?E=;DH ;<= ?V?;VOEIC=;DH V?M=JGDH ||, )Tom 1postol O/T:>U9A;JDN *
H>V=WLN BC9A@XN 89YD89@>ZKN www.mpantes.gr
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