What are the fields of classical physics on which the classical theory of blackbody radiation is based? Why don’t we believe that the ultraviolet catastrophe” suggests that something is wrong with one of those classical theories?

Question

turingtest · Answer

The idea that the possible energy emitted from an object is a continuous range is the classical assumption that leads to the ultraviolet catastrophe. We know that aspect of classical to be wrong now, and that energy from a heated object is quantized.

anonymous · Answer

Why don’t we believe the ultraviolet catastrophe? What events in daily life proved that ultraviolet catastrophe is not possible?

turingtest · Answer

If the ultraviolet catastrophe happened, any heated object, like a light bulb filament, would emit all of its energy as ultraviolet radiation, or higher (x or gamma rays!). The classical idea being that it is more efficient for nature to release a few high-energy frequencies than many lower ones to bring an object back to its normal energy levels. That obviously doesn't happen, so we have always known that something was wrong with the classical model. It took Plank making the ad hoc assumption that energy was released in discreet units (quanta) to start the ball rolling on how to explain away the problem, which led to the development of quantum mechanics.

anonymous · Answer

ok thank you so much  @TuringTest

turingtest · Answer

welcome!

anonymous · Answer

oh, again. 
What are the consequences for us if any heated object would emit all of its energy as ultraviolet radiation, or higher ? are we going to burn, right?

turingtest · Answer

"Burn" is putting it nicely, yeah. Being bombarded by ultraviolet or higher frequency waves at least cause cancers and such. In general though we should at least find that heating up an object makes it emit radiation shorter than the visible wavelengths, so a glowing-hot piece of metal should emit gamma rays.

anonymous · Answer

ok..., thank you again ^^

turingtest · Answer

High-energy electromagnetic radiation can ionize and oxidize molecules as well, so the energy from a light bulb should bleach all the colored cloth in the room, and cause electrons to move (via the photoelectric effect.) in an nearby metals.

anonymous · Answer

ok..., ^^