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Thermal Radiation Statistics Support Quantum Picture

Einstein used the statistical behaviour of black-body radiation to argue that purely classical wave theory could not account for all observed fluctuations in radiant energy.

Albert Einstein lecturing in Vienna in 1921
Albert Einstein lecturing in Vienna, 1921. Photograph by Ferdinand Schmutzer — public domain. Wikimedia Commons source.
Year 1909ZurichPhysics

Thermal Radiation Statistics Support Quantum Picture

1909 · Zurich · Switzerland · Physics

Einstein used the statistical behaviour of black-body radiation to argue that purely classical wave theory could not account for all observed fluctuations in radiant energy.