Wilhelm Wien

German physicist Wilhelm Wien is noted for his work on hydrodynamics, X-rays, and the radiation of light, but it was his work on blackbody radiation that set him apart in the field. In 1893, he derived a law that relates the maximum emission of a blackbody to its temperature. In 1911, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in recognition of his "discoveries regarding the laws governing the radiation of heat." His work contributed significantly to the development of what branch of physics? More...

Wien, Raleigh/Jeans and Planck all had theories predicting the relationship of temperature to the wavelength of light radiated. Wien's theory matched observation quite well at high temperatures but failed near ambient temperatures. The Raleigh/Jeans theory worked well at low temperatures but failed at higher temperatures. Planck's theory provided a perfect match to the temperature/wavelength relationship.

Planck's theory also introduced a constant which led to quantum mechanics and the mathematical relationship of the absorption and emission of light by matter to its atomic structure.

We all should take a moment to thank this man as many have been saves and helped because of his studies and discoveries...