The Origin of Quantum Mechanics (feat. Neil Turok)

In the early 1890s, Max Planck was tasked with improving light bulb efficiency. He discovered that light waves carry energy in packets, or quanta, leading to the development of quantum theory. This theory explains that high frequency light consists of large energy packets, while low frequency light consists of small packets. Planck's work showed that temperature affects the frequency of light emitted, with hotter objects emitting higher frequency light. This discovery has implications for understanding light bulb efficiency and the nature of light itself.

What was the main challenge Max Planck faced when trying to improve light bulb efficiency?

• Predicting the amount of light a hot filament emits

• Finding a way to reduce the cost of light bulbs

• Increasing the lifespan of light bulbs

• Making light bulbs more environmentally friendly

What did Planck discover about the nature of light waves?

• They can only be seen in ultraviolet light

• They are unaffected by temperature changes

• They carry energy in packets, or quanta

• They are continuous and have no distinct packets

In the cookie analogy, what does sharing cookies among infinitely many kids represent?

• The absorption of energy by a single light wave

• The increase in temperature of a light bulb

• The distribution of energy among light waves

• The creation of new light waves

How do high-frequency light waves differ from low-frequency ones in terms of energy?

• Both carry the same amount of energy

• High-frequency waves carry larger packets of energy

• Low-frequency waves carry larger packets of energy

• High-frequency waves carry smaller packets of energy

According to Planck's theory, what happens as an object gets hotter?

• It emits only infrared light

• It emits light at higher frequencies

• It emits light at lower frequencies

• It stops emitting light