Classical attempts at interpreting of the photoelectric effect – Part 2: O. W. Richardson’s “theory of photoelectric action”

This study concludes a series of papers that present classical interpretations proposed for the photoelectric effect between 1902 and 1913. In particular, the focus of this text is the “photoelectric action theory” developed by O. W. Richardson, whose foundations lie in thermodynamic and statistical principles. Drawing on elements of modern historiography of science, readings and analyses of both primary and secondary sources were carried out. As a result, it was possible to construct a historical narrative addressing the genesis, development and the reasons for the rejection of this theory, from a problematic and historical perspective of scientific activity. Together with the previous two papers, this work offers additional historical perspectives on the various attempts to avoid, as far as possible, the Einstein’s “light quantum” hypothesis.

Keywords:
History and Philosophy of Science; Nature of Science; Modern and Contemporary Physics; Photoelectric Effect; O. W. Richardson