๐Ÿงชap chemistry review

Ultraviolet Catastrophe

Written by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examโ€ขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โ€ข Last updated August 2025

Definition

The ultraviolet catastrophe was the prediction that infinite energy would be radiated at shorter wavelengths by a black body according to classical physics - which contradicts experimental results.

AP course connection

Topic 3.12: 3.12 Properties of Photons

Unit 3
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Ultraviolet Catastrophe Definition for AP Chemistry |...