Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity, 1894-1912

Oxford University Press, 1978 8vo (23.5 cm), XVIII, 356 pp. Publisher's cloth (binding slightly rubbed at extremities, top edge somewhat stained). The book delves into the development of black-body theory and the emergence of quantum physics between 1894 and 1912. During the late 19th century, physicists grappled with understanding black-body radiation, which refers to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an idealized object absorbing all incident radiation. Classical physics, rooted in classical electromagnetic theory, struggled to explain the observed distribution of black-body radiation. Kuhn's work scrutinizes the scientific debates and investigations of this era, exploring the contributions of key figures such as Max Planck, Albert Einstein, and others who were instrumental in shaping a new understanding of black-body radiation.