1. What is Photon Energy?

Photon energy refers to the energy carried by a single photon, which is directly proportional to its electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. This relationship is fundamental in quantum mechanics and photonics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the photon energy equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Photon energy (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 demonstrates the inverse relationship between photon energy and wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is crucial in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, optical communications, and understanding light-matter interactions. It helps determine the energy required for electronic transitions and chemical reactions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and greater than zero. For best results, use scientific notation for very small wavelengths (e.g., 5.0e-7 for 500 nm).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between energy and wavelength?
A: Photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - as wavelength decreases, energy increases, and vice versa.

Q2: Can I use different units for wavelength?
A: Yes, but you must convert to meters first since the constants are in SI units. Common conversions: 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m, 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m.

Q3: What are typical photon energy values?
A: Visible light photons have energies around 10⁻¹⁹ J, while gamma rays can have energies up to 10⁻¹³ J or higher.

Q4: Why is Planck's constant important?
A: Planck's constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, establishing the quantum nature of energy transfer.

Q5: How does this relate to Einstein's photoelectric effect?
A: This equation underpins the photoelectric effect, showing that light energy is quantized and that electrons are emitted only when photon energy exceeds the material's work function.