Pierre-Marie Robitaille’s research while affiliated with The Ohio State University and other places

The laws of thermodynamics play a central role in scientific inquiry, guiding physics as to the validity of hypothesized claims. It is for this reason that quantities of thermodynamic relevance must retain their character wherever they appear. Temperature, for example, must always be intensive, a requirement set by the 0th law. Otherwise, the very definition of temperature is compromised. Similarly, entropy must remain extensive, in order to conform to the second law. These rules must be observed whenever a system is large enough to be characterized by macroscopic quantities, such as volume or area. This explains why ensembles comprised of just a few atoms cannot be considered thermodynamic systems. In this regard, black holes are hypothesized to be large systems, characterized by the Schwarzschild radius ( r s = 2 GM / c² ) and its associated “horizon” area ( A = 4π r s² ), where G , M , and c represent the universal constant of gravitation, the mass of the black hole, and the speed of light in vacuum, respectively. It can be readily demonstrated that Bekenstein‐Hawking black hole entropy is nonextensive, while the Hawking and the Unruh temperatures are nonintensive. As a result, the associated equations violate the laws of thermodynamics and can hold no place in the physical sciences.

Ever since its formulation by A. S. Eddington, the mass-luminosity relation has been viewed as a triumph for theoretical astronomy and astrophysics. The idea that the luminosity of the stars could be controlled solely by their mass was indeed a revolutionary concept. The proof involved two central aspects: (1) the belief that stars could be treated as ideal gases in hydrostatic equilibrium, and (2) that the opacity of Capella could be used as a reference mark applicable to other stars. Yet, when the mass-luminosity relation was advanced, no thought was given to the need for thermodynamic balance. Within thermodynamic expressions, not only must the dimensions (hence units) be consistent on each side of the equals sign, but the extensive nature of the properties must also balance. Namely, thermodynamic expressions must be balanced by properties which are extensive to the same degree. In this regard, mass is an extensive thermodynamic property and can be represented by a homogenous function of degree 1. Conversely, the luminosity of a star is neither extensive nor intensive, but rather can be represented by a homogenous function of degree 2/3. Consequently, the mass-luminosity expression is thermodynamically unbalanced and stands in violation of the laws of thermodynamics.

Papers of physics and its publications.

In order to account for the slight polarization of the continuum towards the limb, proponents of the Standard Solar Model (SSM) must have recourse to electron or hydrogen-based scattering of light, as no other mechanism is possible in a gaseous Sun. Conversely, acceptance that the solar body is comprised of condensed matter opens up new avenues in the analysis of this problem, even if the photospheric surface itself is viewed as incapable of emitting polarized light. Thus, the increased disk polarization, from the center to the limb, can be explained by invoking the scattering of light by the atmosphere above the photosphere. The former is reminiscent of mechanisms which are known to account for the polarization of sunlight in the atmosphere of the Earth. Within the context of the Liquid Metallic Hydrogen Solar Model (LMHSM), molecules and small particles, not electrons or hydrogen atoms as required by the SSM, would primarily act as scattering agents in regions also partially comprised of condensed hydrogen structures (CHS). In addition, the well-known polarization which characterizes the K-corona would become a sign of emission polarization from an anisotropic source, without the need for scattering. In the LMHSM, the K, F, and T-coronas can be viewed as emissive and reflective manifestations of a single coronal entity adopting a radially anisotropic structure, while slowly cooling with altitude above the photosphere. The presence of "dust particles", advanced by proponents of the SSM, would no longer be required to explain the F and T-corona, as a single cooling structure would account for the properties of the K, F, and T coronas. At the same time, the polarized "SecondSolar Spectrum", characterized by the dominance of certain elemental or ionic spectral lines and an abundance of molecular lines, could be explained in the LMHSM, by first invoking interface polarization and coordination of these species with condensed matter in the chromosphere. The prevalence of polarized signals from the Rare Earth metals, achemically unique group of the periodic table, provides powerful evidence, based on the "Second Solar Spectrum", that chemical reactions and coordination are taking place in the atmosphere of the Sun. This concept is also supported by the polarized signal from lithium, an element previously hypothesized to assist in stabilizing metallic hydrogen structures. The possibility that some atoms are coordinated with CHS implies that the relative abundance of elements cannot be simply ascertained through the analysis of emission or absorption lines in the solar atmosphere.

Affirming Kirchhoff’s Law of thermal emission, Max Planck conferred upon his own equation and its constants, h and k, universal significance. All arbitrary cavities were said to behave as blackbodies. They were thought to contain black, or normal radiation, which depended only upon temperature and frequency of observation, irrespective of the nature of the cavity walls. Today, laboratory blackbodies are specialized, heated devices whose interior walls are lined with highly absorptive surfaces, such as graphite, soot, or other sophisticated materials. Such evidence repeatedly calls into question Kirchhoff’s Law, as nothing in the laboratory is independent of the nature of the walls. By focusing on Max Planck’s classic text, “The Theory of Heat Radiation’, it can be demonstrated that the German physicist was unable to properly justify Kirchhoff’s Law. At every turn, he was confronted with the fact that materials possess frequency dependent reflectivity and absorptivity, but he often chose to sidestep these realities. He used polarized light to derive Kirchhoff’s Law, when it is well known that blackbody radiation is never polarized. Through the use of an element, dσ, at the bounding surface between two media, he reached the untenable position that arbitrary materials have the same reflective properties. His Eq. 40 (ρ =ρ′), constituted a dismissal of experimental reality. It is evident that if one neglects reflection, then all cavities must be black. Unable to ensure that perfectly reflecting cavities can be filled with black radiation, Planck inserted a minute carbon particle, which he qualified as a “catalyst”. In fact, it was acting as a perfect absorber, fully able to provide, on its own, the radiation sought. In 1858, Balfour Stewart had outlined that the proper treatment of cavity radiation must include reflection. Yet, Max Planck did not cite the Scottish scientist. He also did not correctly address real materials, especially metals, from which reflectors would be constructed. These shortcomings led to universality, an incorrect conclusion. Arbitrary cavities do not contain black radiation. Kirchhoff’s formulation is invalid. As a direct consequence, the constants h and k do not have fundamental meaning and along with “Planck length”, “Planck time”, “Planck mass”, and “Planck temperature”, lose the privileged position they once held in physics.

In this work, the claim that optically thick gases can emit as blackbodies is refuted. The belief that such behavior exists results from an improper consideration of heat transfer and reflection. When heat is injected into a gas, the energy is primarily redistributed into translational degrees of freedom and is not used to drive emission. The average kinetic energy of the particles in the system simply increases and the temperature rises. In this respect, it is well-know that the emissivity of a gas can drop with increasing temperature. Once reflection and translation are properly considered, it is simple to understand why gases can never emit as blackbodies.

In this work, the equation which properly governs cavity radiation is addressed once again, while presenting a generalized form. A contrast is made between the approach recently taken (P. M. Robitaille. On the equation which governs cavity radiation. Progr. Phys., 2014, v. 10, no. 2, 126–127) and a course of action adopted earlier by Max Planck. The two approaches give dramatically differing conclusions, highlighting that the derivation of a relationship can have far reaching consequences. In Planck's case, all cavities contain black radiation. In Robitaille's case, only cavities permitted to temporarily fall out of thermal equilibrium, or which have been subjected to the action of a perfect absorber, contain black radiation. Arbitrary cavities do not emit as black-bodies. A proper evaluation of this equation reveals that cavity radiation is absolutely dependent on the nature of the enclosure and its contents. Recent results demonstrating super-Planckian thermal emission from hyperbolic metamaterials in the near field and emission enhancements in the far field are briefly examined. Such findings highlight that cavity radiation is absolutely dependent on the nature of the cavity and its walls. As previously stated, the constants of Planck and Boltzmann can no longer be viewed as universal.