The wavelength λmax at which the Planck distribution is a maximum can be found by solving dρ(λ,T)/dT = 0. Differentiate ρ(λ,T) with respect to T and show that the condition for the maximum can be expressed as xex − 5(ex − 1) = 0, where x = hc/λkT. There are no analytical solutions to this equation, but a numerical approach gives x = 4.965 as a solution. Use this result to confirm Wien’s law, that λmaxT is a constant, deduce an expression for the constant, and compare it to the value quoted in the text.

The wavelength λmax at which the Planck distribution is a maximum can be found by solving dρ(λ,T)/dT = 0. Differentiate ρ(λ,T) with respect to T and show that the condition for the maximum can be expressed as xex − 5(ex − 1) = 0, where x = hc/λkT. There are no analytical solutions to this equation, but a numerical approach gives x = 4.965 as a solution. Use this result to confirm Wien’s law, that λmaxT is a constant, deduce an expression for the constant, and compare it to the value quoted in the text.