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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 demonstrates the inverse relationship between photon energy and 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 behavior of light-matter interactions and is fundamental to understanding phenomena like the photoelectric effect.
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 can I convert wavelength from nanometers to meters?
A: Multiply the nanometer value by 10⁻⁹ (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m). For example, 500 nm = 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ m.
Q3: What is the relationship between energy and frequency?
A: Energy can also be calculated as E = hν, where ν is frequency. This is equivalent to E = hc/λ since c = νλ.
Q4: Why are the energy values so small?
A: Individual photons carry very small amounts of energy due to the extremely small value of Planck's constant. Macroscopic light beams contain enormous numbers of photons.
Q5: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays, though the calculated energy values vary dramatically across the spectrum.