Rayleigh-Jeans law

noun

-ˈjēnz-

usually capitalized R&J

: an approximation in respect to thermal radiation: the emissive power of a blackbody at absolute temperature T and at a given wavelength λ is directly proportional to T and inversely proportional to λ⁴ compare planck radiation law

Word History

Etymology

after Baron J. W. S. Rayleigh and Sir James Hapwood Jeans †1946 English physicist

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!