The theory of heat radiation

Max Planck's 'Theory of Heat Radiation' is a seminal work in physics that laid the foundation for quantum theory.

Published in 1900, it addresses the problem of black-body radiation, which classical physics failed to explain.

Planck proposed that energy is not emitted or absorbed continuously but in discrete packets, or quanta, with energy proportional to frequency, E=hv.

This revolutionary idea challenged classical physics and marked the birth of quantum mechanics.

The book provides a detailed mathematical treatment of black-body radiation, deriving Planck's law, which accurately describes the spectral distribution of energy emitted by a black body.