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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 using Planck's constant (h), the speed of light (c), and the photon's wavelength (λ). This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates a photon's energy to its electromagnetic properties.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation demonstrates the inverse relationship between a photon's energy and its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum physics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and telecommunications. It helps determine the behavior of light-matter interactions and is fundamental to understanding atomic and molecular processes.
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 wavelength values for visible light?
A: Visible light wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red), or 3.8 × 10⁻⁷ m to 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ m.
Q2: How does photon energy relate to frequency?
A: The equation can also be written as E = hν, where ν is frequency. Since c = λν, the two forms are equivalent.
Q3: What is the energy range for visible light photons?
A: Visible light photons have energies between approximately 1.65 eV (red) and 3.26 eV (violet), or 2.64 × 10⁻¹⁹ J to 5.22 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.
Q4: 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 magnitude in macroscopic units.
Q5: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.