Physics A-Level
Planck's quantum hypothesis
What Planck's quantum hypothesis means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Planck's quantum hypothesis
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Reference: AQA
Energy is emitted or absorbed in discrete quanta of energy E = hf, limiting high-frequency emission because fewer oscillators can acquire large energy quanta, removing the divergence.
Topics that use Planck's quantum hypothesis
- The discovery of photoelectricity (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Intensity
- Limitations of classical wave theory
- Photon energy and frequency
- Planck constant
- Quanta
- Quantisation of energy
- Threshold frequency
- Ultraviolet catastrophe
Using Planck's quantum hypothesis in the exam
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