The failure of classical physics to describe blackbody radiation at short wavelengths became known as the:

1. Ordinary hot lighting emits a range of broadly distributed frequencies forming a continuous spectrum. 2. Classical theory predicted unrealistic behaviour at the short-wavelength end of that spectrum. 3. This became known as the ultraviolet catastrophe because no one could find any problems with the theoretical treatment that could lead to such behaviour. 4. It was the first paradox that showed the fundamental limitations of classical physics. _Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 'Electronic Structure and Periodic Properties of Elements', sections 6.1-6.5_