Quantum Aspects of the Joule-Lenz Law

Abstract

Quantum aspects of the Joule-Lenz law for the dissipation energy have been studied. In the first step, in an analysis of the energy-time principle of uncertainty, this gives a lower limit of the time interval and an upper limit of the energy interval which can be admitted in a quantum transition process. Moreover, for the low energy excitations, the transition time between the levels is found to be close to the oscillation time periods characteristic for these levels. A reference obtained among the transition time Δt, transition energy ΔE and the Planck constant h indicates that Δt should approach approximately the time period of the electromagnetic wave produced in course of the transition.