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Photon Energy Equation:
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Photon energy refers to the energy carried by a single photon, which is the fundamental particle of light. The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength, according to Planck's equation.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that shorter wavelength photons (e.g., ultraviolet, X-rays) carry more energy than longer wavelength photons (e.g., infrared, radio waves).
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and optical engineering. It helps determine if a photon has sufficient energy to cause electronic transitions, chemical reactions, or other photophysical processes.
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 is the relationship between photon energy and frequency?
A: Photon energy is directly proportional to frequency: E = hν, where ν is the frequency. Higher frequency means higher energy.
Q2: How is photon energy related to the electromagnetic spectrum?
A: Gamma rays and X-rays have the highest photon energies, while radio waves have the lowest. Visible light occupies an intermediate range.
Q3: What are typical photon energy values?
A: For visible light (λ ≈ 500 nm), photon energy is about 4 × 10⁻¹⁹ J. X-rays can have energies around 10⁻¹⁵ J or higher.
Q4: Why is photon energy quantized?
A: According to quantum theory, light energy comes in discrete packets called photons, each carrying a specific amount of energy determined by its frequency or wavelength.
Q5: How is photon energy measured experimentally?
A: Photon energy can be measured using various techniques including photoelectric effect experiments, spectroscopy, and calorimetric methods.