E = h n
The two most important formulas in modern physics E = mc2 (Einstein – special relativity - 1905) E = h n (Planck – quantum mechanics - 1901)
Planck initially called his theory “an act of desperation”.
- “I knew that the problem is of fundamental significance for physics; I knew the formula that reproduces the energy distribution in the normal spectrum; a theoretical interpretation had to be found , no matter how high.”
Leads to the consequence that light comes only in certain packets or “quanta”
A complete break with classical physics where all physical quantities are always continuous