Physics A-Level
Ultraviolet catastrophe
What Ultraviolet catastrophe means in Physics A-Level, as defined for AQA.
Definition of Ultraviolet catastrophe
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Reference: AQA
The classical prediction that intensity rises without limit as wavelength decreases, implying infinite energy emission in the ultraviolet region.
Topics that use Ultraviolet catastrophe
- The discovery of photoelectricity (A-level only) (AQA A-Level)
Related terms
- Intensity
- Limitations of classical wave theory
- Photon energy and frequency
- Planck constant
- Planck's quantum hypothesis
- Quanta
- Quantisation of energy
- Threshold frequency
Using Ultraviolet catastrophe in the exam
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