Determining the Boltzmann’s

constant by using Wien’s

Authors Tejaswi Varma, Ishanvi Roy

Abstract
In this experiment apply Wien's displacement law in order to determine Boltzmann's
constant(k). A setup consisting of a light source, prism, and a light sensor was used. From
Wien’s displacement law, plotting a linear graph of the peak wavelength (λ𝑚) of the light
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against the inverse of the temperature( 𝑇 ) of the incandescent filament will result in a
gradient that is equal to ℎ𝑐/4. 965𝑘. By equating the two, Boltzmann’s constant can be
calculated. This report further explores the relationship between the temperature and
resistance of the tungsten and the relationship between the peak wavelength and the
refractive index of the glass prism for a specific wavelength.
The final result for Boltzmann's constant could not be determined due to methodical
oversight and an instrumental error in the optical setup.

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Table of Contents
Introduction 3
Theory 3
Experimental methods 5
Results 7
Discussion 8
Conclusion 8
References 8
Appendix 9
A. Raw data 10
B. Derivations of error analysis 10
C. Calculations 10

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Introduction
The Boltzmann's constant was first introduced by Max Planck in his publication “analysis of
black body radiation”[1] and named after the prominent Austrian physicist Ludwig
Boltzmann. It is defined as the proportionality factor that relates the average relative kinetic
energy of particles in a gas with the thermodynamic temperature of the gas. [2] This
experiment however focuses on deriving the constant through Wien’s displacement law.
Wien’s displacement law states that the overall radiated energy increases as the temperature
of a blackbody radiator rises, and the peak of the radiation curve shifts to shorter
wavelengths. The Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) value for the
Boltzmann constant (k) is 1.380649 × 10-23 kgm²s⁻²K⁻¹ [3]. A Prism Spectrophotometer Kit
is used to calculate the angle of refraction, the wavelength, and the temperature, all of which
should lead us to our final value of k, the Boltzmann constant.

Theory
The objective of this experiment is to determine Boltzmann’s constant (k) by using Wien’s
displacement law.
The relationship between absolute temperature and the kinetic energy contained in each
molecule of an ideal gas is represented by Boltzmann's constant. The constant(k) in this
experiment is determined by applying Wien’s displacement law and calculating it from the
relation between the maximum wavelength of the light and the temperature of the
incandescent filament. As per Max Planck, the power per wavelength unit emitted as
electromagnetic radiation with wavelength (λ) by a body at absolute temperature (T), is given
by:

(Equation 1)

where c1= 2πhc² , c2= hc/k, and k denotes Boltzmann’s constant. c2 will be determined in this
experiment, from which Boltzmann's constant may be computed.
Setting δ𝑢λ/δλ demonstrates that the formula for 𝑢λ has a maximum at wavelength:

(Equation 2)

Equation(2) is called Wien’s displacement law.

(Equation 3)

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Equation (3) is called Stephen-Boltzmann's law.

In the experiment, a prism is used to disperse the light from a lightbulb into a spectrum. The
spectrum is probed using a light sensor to determine the intensity per wavelength. The
radiation curve produced by (equation 1) may be measured in this manner.

For assignment 1, The resistance R of the incandescent filament, which increases with
increasing converted electrical power, is used to determine its temperature. The relative
increase in resistance is known to increase proportionally to temperature:

(Equation 4)

In which T0 denotes the initial temperature(e.g. Room temperature) and T denotes the final
temperature.
From equation 4, one can derive the following equation:

(Equation 5)

In both equations 4 and 5 α0 = 4.5 · 10⁻³ K⁻¹, and the resistance of the incandescent filament
at room temperature T0 is given by R(T0) = 0.84Ω.

For assignment 3, we use the empirical formula of Cauchy as given below to find the
wavelength.

(Equation 6)

Here, A = 13900 nm² and B = 1.689

Solving for the wavelength gives us:

(Equation 7)

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One can derive a relationship between the refraction angle of light of a specific colour and
the index of refraction (n) of the glass for that colour using the equilateral prism used in the
experimental setup. This is the relationship:

(Equation 8)

For the corresponding errors for the values of temperature and resistance, the partial
derivatives are used [Appendix B]. For the final values, linear regression must be used.

Experimental methods

Figure K1.1 Experimental Setup

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 Apparatus Required

1. Light source

2 Plate with slits

3. Collimating lens

4. Prism

5. Focusing lens

6. Wheel with selectable slits

7. Computer with Science workshop 360 and DataStudio installed

8. Detector

9. Power amplifier
Table K1.1: Apparatus for this experiment

Assignment 1
Most electrical connections were already made and only the power supply was left to be
connected. Before proceeding with the experiment, the steps outlined in the lab manual[4]
were meticulously followed, that is, setting up the DataStudio and the ScienceWorkshop360.
We first started by calibrating the system with 7V. The rotating sensor was set at 67° and
then slowly turned toward us to a bit further than 0°. This was done to capture the whole
range of the light spectrum including the infrared parts. The same was done for 4V and 8V.
Before each measurement, the calibration check was performed to ensure a perfect reading.
See Appendix A for all the data recorded.

Assignment 2
The sensor was rotated from -50° to 50° to capture a wide range of angles that we later used
to compare and find the relation between counts to degrees. This had to be done because
while the measurement system measured in counts, our setup (protractor) displays degrees.

Assignment 3
In order to calculate the wavelength, we require the angle at which the intensity of the light
peaked and the index of refraction. By applying the conversion rate, the rotational counts
were converted to degrees. The refraction index and the peak wavelength for 10V were
calculated using equations 8 and 7 respectively. The same could not be done for 7V and 4V as
an instrumentation error was discovered when converting the counts to degrees. This is
further explained in detail in the discussion and results section.

Assignment 4
As mentioned in the previous assignment, this part of the experiment could unfortunately
not be completed due to methodical and instrumentation errors. While multiple methods
were tried and tested to manipulate equation 2 to arrive at plottable numbers, no viable
method was found. These complications are further explained in the Discussion.

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Results

For assignment 1, the temperature in Kelvin was calculated by using equation 8. The
resistance R(T) was calculated by dividing the voltage by the current at which the intensity
peaked. By substituting the variables and constants into the equation, three temperature
values were determined for 7V, 4V, and 10V [Table K1.2]. The errors for resistance and
temperature were propagated and respective calculations are given in Appendix B.
In assignment 2, the rotational counts from run number 16 [See Appendix C] were analysed
to deduce the conversion rate of counts to degrees. This was calculated to be 0.0357 degrees
per count. [See results]. This was then used in assignment 4 to calculate the refractive angle.
When the rotation counts for the 7V and 4V were converted to degrees, it was found that the
angles were less than 55.4 degrees. This strongly suggests that the optical alignment of the
setup had been disoriented [further in Discussion]. However, the refractive angle for the 10V
measurement was above 55.4 and an accurate wavelength value was yielded through
equations 7 and 8. Since we only obtained one accurate wavelength, plotting a graph of λ𝑚
against 1/T was not possible for assignment 4.

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Discussion
From the first assignment we see that temperature increases in relation to voltage and this
essentially shows two relations: the direct proportionality between voltage and resistance
and resistance and temperature. This is most probably due to the relatively constant nature
of the current. While it does change, it is not drastic and it remains the same over a range of
values.
The main answer to the research question is derived from assignments 3 and 4. we noticed
however while converting the recorded rotation counts to degrees, that our value of 49.623°
was below the margin of 55.4°. This also means that the index of refraction of a prism is
below 1.689. This meant, as suggested by the lab manual[5], that the optical alignment of our
setup was destroyed and that we would get imaginary results for the wavelength. Receiving
imaginary results made it impossible to plot a graph of peak wavelength against the inverse
of the temperature. Due to the imaginary value for wavelength, the final results we receive
would be imaginary complex numbers, far from the hypothesised value.
By recognising the systematic error which turned out to be an error in the setup itself we
have come to the following conclusions to accurately perform the experiment hereafter. The
setup should have been thoroughly checked for any misalignment. Furthermore, several runs
for the same voltage value were to be taken. Another error we suspect that might have
impacted our results was that the TARE button was re-pressed for each measurement. This
however did not directly impact our results as we are only dealing with variables that
correspond to the peak intensity and not the intensity itself.

Conclusion
It was ascertained that Boltzmann’s constant could have definitely been determined through
Wein’s displacement law and spectroscopy if the instrumental and methodical errors had
been prevented. As mentioned in the Discussion, a way to prevent the errors that led to this
faulty experiment would be prioritising an alignment check, taking multiple runs for each
voltage, and using its weighted average, taking runs of more than three voltages.

References
[1] Planck, Max (1901), "Ueber das Gesetz der Energieverteilung im Normalspectrum",
Ann. Phys., 309 (3): 553–63, Bibcode:1901AnP...309..553P, doi:10.1002/andp.19013090310.
English translation: "On the Law of Distribution of Energy in the Normal Spectrum".
Archived from the original on 17 December 2008.
[2] Richard Feynman (1970). The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol I. Addison Wesley
Longman. ISBN 978-0-201-02115-8.
[3] M.R. Moldover et al., Measurement of the universal gas constant R using a spherical
acoustic resonator, J. Res. Natl. Bur. Stand. 93, 85 (1988)
[4] “Determination of Boltzmann’s constant”, Lab Manual, pp. Chapter 5, page 41
[5] “Determination of Boltzmann’s constant”, Lab Manual, pp. Chapter 5, page 46

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Appendix

A. Raw data

Link to raw data:

B. Derivations of error analysis

∆𝐼
For Resistance: To find ∆𝑅(𝑇) = 𝐼
× 𝑅(𝑇)

For Temperature T using error propagation:

For ∆𝑇 at 7V:

For ∆𝑇 at 10V:

C. Calculations

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Link to temperature and resistance values and calculations:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18jzAOYyURuQTu7gFSNVEtu930ZQcwr4N?usp=sh
are_lin

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