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Photon Energy Equation:
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The photon energy equation \( E = \frac{hc}{\lambda} \) calculates the energy of a photon based on its wavelength. This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates the energy of electromagnetic radiation to its wavelength through Planck's constant and the speed of light.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that photon energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and optical engineering. It helps determine the energy levels of electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. For common light wavelengths, remember that visible light ranges from approximately 380-750 nanometers (3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7.5×10⁻⁷ m).
Q1: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons have energies ranging from approximately 1.65 eV (red) to 3.26 eV (violet), or 2.64×10⁻¹⁹ to 5.22×10⁻¹⁹ Joules.
Q2: How does this relate to photon frequency?
A: The equation can also be written as E = hν, where ν is frequency. The two forms are equivalent since c = λν.
Q3: Why is Planck's constant so small?
A: Planck's constant is fundamental to quantum mechanics and represents the quantization of energy at atomic scales, which is why it has such a small value in macroscopic units.
Q4: Can this calculator handle very small wavelengths?
A: Yes, but extremely small wavelengths (high energies) may approach computational limits for standard floating-point arithmetic.
Q5: What are practical applications of this calculation?
A: This calculation is used in designing lasers, understanding atomic spectra, calculating radiation energy in medical applications, and analyzing light-matter interactions in various scientific fields.