The correct answer is: Max Planck.
Max Planck was a German theoretical physicist who developed quantum theory, one of the two pillars of modern physics (alongside relativity). He is best known for his discovery of Planck’s law of black-body radiation, which established quantum theory as a fundamental part of physics.
Planck’s law of black-body radiation states that the intensity of radiation emitted by a black body is proportional to the fourth power of its temperature. This law was first derived by Planck in 1900, and it was a major breakthrough in the development of quantum theory.
Planck’s work on black-body radiation led to the development of quantum mechanics, which is the study of the behavior of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic level. Quantum mechanics is a very successful theory, and it has been used to explain a wide range of phenomena, including the photoelectric effect, the Compton effect, and the hydrogen atom.
Planck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1918 for his work on black-body radiation. He is considered one of the most important physicists of the 20th century, and his work on quantum theory has had a profound impact on our understanding of the universe.
The other options are incorrect for the following reasons:
- Albert Einstein is best known for his theory of relativity, which is a different branch of physics than quantum theory.
- Werner Heisenberg is best known for his uncertainty principle, which is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics.
- Ernest Rutherford is best known for his work on the structure of the atom, which is also a different branch of physics than quantum theory.