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How to Calculate Energy of One Photon from Frequency

Planck-Einstein Relation:

\[ E = h \times f \]

Hz

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1. What is the Planck-Einstein Relation?

The Planck-Einstein relation describes the energy of a photon in terms of its frequency. It states that the energy (E) of a photon is equal to Planck's constant (h) multiplied by the frequency (f) of the photon.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Planck-Einstein relation:

\[ E = h \times f \]

Where:

Explanation: This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates the particle nature (energy) and wave nature (frequency) of light.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and optical technologies. It helps determine whether a photon has sufficient energy to excite electrons or cause chemical reactions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the frequency in Hertz (Hz). The value must be positive and greater than zero. The calculator will compute the energy in Joules using Planck's constant.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s) is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency.

Q2: Can I calculate energy from wavelength instead?
A: Yes, using the relation E = h × c / λ, where c is the speed of light and λ is the wavelength.

Q3: What are typical energy values for photons?
A: Photon energies range from about 10⁻²⁵ J for radio waves to 10⁻¹⁵ J for gamma rays.

Q4: Why is photon energy important in chemistry?
A: It determines whether light can initiate photochemical reactions, excite electrons, or break chemical bonds.

Q5: How precise is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically exact, though practical measurements of frequency may have experimental uncertainties.

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