This book examines the different areas of knowledge, traditions, and
conceptual resources that contributed to the building of Max Planck's
theory of radiation. It presents an insightful comparative analysis that
not only sheds light upon a fundamental chapter in the history of modern
physics, but also enlarges our understanding of how theoreticians work.
Coverage offers a deep investigation into the technical aspects behind
the theory and extends in time the notion of quantum revolution. It also
presents a full-fledged discussion of the combinatorial part of Planck's
theory and places emphasis on the epistemological role of mathematical
practices. By painstakingly reconstructing both the electromagnetic and
the combinatorial part of Planck's black-body theory, the author shows
how some apparently merely technical resources, such as the Fourier
series, effectively contributed to shape the final form of Planck's
theory.
For decades, historians have debated the conditions of possibility of
Max Planck's discovery as a paradigmatic example of scientific
revolution. In particular, the use of combinatorics, which eventually
paved the way for the introduction of the quantum hypothesis, has
remained a puzzle for experts. This book presents a fresh perspective on
this important debate that will appeal to historians and philosophers of
science.