Two massive changes in the worldview of physical phenomena relate to Newton and Einstein. Their ideas and theories contributed greatly to shaping the science of physics and the perception of nature. However, some foundation for their works had been laid before them, as in the case of Planck, who preceded Einstein. Together with him, Planck developed the quantum theory, while Newton synthesized the previous knowledge and applied the inverse square law to his gravitation principles. This essay will describe the quantum theory and the inverse square law, illustrate them, and draw conclusions about their significance.
Many physical laws formulated in the past are still relevant, including the inverse square law. It states that the power of a certain physical phenomenon, for example, light or radiation, “is proportional to the inverse square of the distance” from the phenomenon’s source (Voudoukis & Oikonomidis, 2017, p. 23). Although the law is applied in many fields of Physics, it can be of particular interest for those who work in a hazardous environment. For example, the inverse square law can help measure the affected area and decide which perimeter should be sealed.
A blow to the Newtonian model of physics was caused by Planck and his quantum theory. According to it, the smallest amount of energy is a quantum, and radiation is absorbed and emitted in such quanta (Capellmann, 2017). Besides, the energy of radiation is directly proportional to its frequency (Capellmann, 2017). The theory applies to almost all technological fields, military, and medicine. For instance, laser surgeries make use of it to cut tissue, and it would require a small frequency to do it properly.
In conclusion, the inverse square law and Planck’s quantum theory are significant postulates in Physics that serve as the basis for other fundamental principles and modern technologies. Although they come from two different viewpoints on the world that may conflict, they tend to coexist and supplement each other. They explain the same phenomenon, such as radiation, from different angles, and provide a full understanding of its properties.
References
Capellmann, H. (2017). The development of elementary quantum theory. Springer.
Voudoukis, N., & Oikonomidis, S. (2017). Inverse square law for light and radiation: A unifying educational approach. European Journal of Engineering Research and Science, 2(11), 23-27. Web.