Issued Wed, Jan 24 Due Wed, Jan 31
Extra Credit problem
a) The energy density function
given in problem 4a has a maximum at some frequency
.
(You saw this graphically in the MMA exercise). Find
as a function of temperature.
(You should find that it is proportional to the temperature. What is the proportionality constant?)
b) (You don't need part a to do this one:) Given your answer to problem
4b: What is the numerical value of the energy density (in eV/m^3) in a cavity
at 2.7 K? (Note: our universe is a black cavity at 2.7 K right now!) At
2.7 K, the spectrum peaks for photons very roughly around
=1
mm (microwaves): if you make the further crude assumption that ALL the photons
in the cavity have that same
,
how many photons are there in each m^3 of outer space?
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Email: Steven.Pollock@colorado.edu