Home
Back
Energy of Photon Formula:
| From: | To: |
The energy of photon equation calculates the energy carried by a single photon based on its wavelength. This fundamental physics formula is derived from Planck's quantum theory and Einstein's photoelectric effect.
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 quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and various applications including laser technology, medical imaging, and solar energy conversion.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and non-zero. For best results, use scientific notation for very small wavelengths (e.g., 5.0e-7 for 500 nm).
Q1: What are typical photon energy values?
A: Visible light photons have energies around 10⁻¹⁹ J, while gamma rays can have energies up to 10⁻¹³ J or higher.
Q2: Can I use nanometers instead of meters?
A: Yes, but you must convert nanometers to meters (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m) before calculation.
Q3: How does photon energy relate to frequency?
A: Energy can also be calculated as E = hf, where f is frequency. This is equivalent to E = hc/λ since c = fλ.
Q4: Why is Planck's constant so small?
A: Planck's constant is small because it relates energy to frequency at the quantum scale, where individual photon energies are extremely small compared to macroscopic energies.
Q5: What practical applications use this calculation?
A: This calculation is used in designing optical systems, analyzing spectral data, calculating photon requirements for photochemical reactions, and understanding light-matter interactions.