Thermodynamics of the harmonic oscillator: derivation of the Planck blackbody spectrum from pure thermodynamics

Abstract

In 1893, Wien applied the first two laws of thermodynamics to blackbody radiation and derived his displacement theorem. Believing that the information from thermodynamics had been exhausted, Planck turned to statistical ideas in 1900 in order to provide a physical understanding for his experimental-data-based interpolation giving the Planck spectrum without zero-point radiation. Here we point out that the third law of thermodynamics (which was developed in the early years of the 20th century) introduces additional thermodynamic information regarding thermal radiation. The Planck spectrum for thermal radiation can be derived from purely thermodynamic ideas applied to the classical simple harmonic oscillator, since every radiation mode takes a simple oscillator form. Thermodynamics alone implies the Planck spectrum including zero-point energy without any need for quantum theory or statistical ideas. It is pointed out that the inclusion of zero-point energy involves more natural thermodynamics than its exclusion.