1. What is Photon Energy?

Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon, calculated using Planck's equation. It represents the quantum of electromagnetic energy and 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 shows that photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in spectroscopy, quantum physics, optical communications, and understanding light-matter interactions at the quantum level.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter 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).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between wavelength and energy?
A: Energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - shorter wavelengths have higher energy, longer wavelengths have lower energy.

Q2: How do I convert nanometers to meters?
A: Multiply nanometer value by 10⁻⁹ (1 nm = 1 × 10⁻⁹ m). For example, 500 nm = 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ 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: Can I calculate energy in electronvolts instead?
A: Yes, divide the energy in joules by 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ to convert to electronvolts (eV).

Q5: Why is Planck's constant important?
A: Planck's constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, establishing the quantum nature of electromagnetic radiation.