Abstract:Discretization of three-dimensional physical spaces can induce, on observable physical quantities, effects which are not present in the continuum. Consider, as an example, the problem of the radiation spectrum of a blackbody, studied in introductory courses in quantum mechanics. One sees that the Rayleigh assumption of continuous and uniform frequency distribution of standing waves inside a cubic cavity with perfectly reflecting inner walls can be validated by a heuristic type of reasoning. However, by means o… Show more
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