What is the Significance of h?
The fact that the slope in Millikan’s experiment was equal numerically to Planck’s constant establishes the importance of incorporating h into physics in a fundamental way. But how?
Usual approach: Try to understand h in terms of previous theory (classical physics) applied to atoms.
Revolutionary approach: Planck’s constant h is fundamental - more fundamental than our previous classical conceptions.
What are the tests?
- Niels Bohr (1911): atomic spectra: obvious quantum effect (lines, not continuous spectra).
- Question: how can h explain these spectral lines?