1. What is the Energy Per Photon Equation?

The energy per photon equation calculates the energy carried by a single photon based on its wavelength. This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates the particle and wave properties of light.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the energy per photon equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy per photon (Joules)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance of Energy Per Photon Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and understanding electromagnetic radiation interactions with matter.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength in meters. The value must be greater than zero. For common wavelengths, remember that 1 nanometer = 10⁻⁹ meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical energy values for visible light photons?
A: Visible light photons (400-700 nm) have energies ranging from approximately 3.1 to 1.8 electronvolts (5.0 × 10⁻¹⁹ to 2.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules).

Q2: How is this related to the photoelectric effect?
A: The equation explains why only light above a certain frequency (corresponding to minimum energy) can eject electrons in the photoelectric effect.

Q3: Can this equation be used for all types of electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, it applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Q4: What are common units for photon energy?
A: While Joules are the SI unit, electronvolts (eV) are commonly used in atomic and particle physics (1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).

Q5: How does photon energy relate to color perception?
A: Higher energy photons are perceived as violet/blue light, while lower energy photons are perceived as red light in the visible spectrum.