Lecture 8: Rethinking Light

MIT STS.042J / 8.225J Einstein, Oppenheimer, Feynman: Physics in the 20th Century, Fall 2020
Instructor: David Kaiser

Prof. Kaiser discusses old vs. new quantum theory, blackbody radiation, the photoelectric effect, and Compton scattering.

License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

[craigmcfarlane]

I find this quote from Einstein interesting:

"All the fifty years of conscious brooding have brought me no closer to answer the question, "What are light quanta?" Of course today every rascal thinks he knows the answer, but he is deluding himself."

[qbtc]

MIT in 1965 to the dismay of some of their physics professors reduced the mandatory 2 years of physics for every student to just 1 year. However, CalTech still requires every single student there to take quantum mechanics which if you account for the intro physics courses plus quantum mechanics equates to the same 2 years of physics requirement.

[Null-hc]

When he say light, he means electromagnetic radiation . Ignore the light portion . It will not change anything locally but prevent unpeereviewable

[Null-hc]

remember most academic notion have not been peer reviewed . Peer review started in 197x

[Null-hc]

do not question . You are there to learn . But remember what i wrote just in case for after you are graduated