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Photon Energy Formula:
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Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon, which is directly proportional to its electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. The energy of a photon determines its behavior and interactions with matter.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons, while longer wavelengths correspond to lower energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and telecommunications. It helps determine the behavior of light in different materials and its effects on atomic and molecular systems.
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 meters).
Q1: What is the relationship between wavelength and energy?
A: Energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - as wavelength increases, energy decreases, and vice versa.
Q2: How is this different from calculating energy using frequency?
A: The formula E = hf (where f is frequency) is equivalent to E = hc/λ since c = fλ. Both approaches yield the same result.
Q3: What are typical energy values for visible light photons?
A: Visible light photons have energies ranging from approximately 1.65 eV (red light) to 3.26 eV (violet light), or 2.64×10⁻¹⁹ to 5.22×10⁻¹⁹ joules.
Q4: Why is Planck's constant important in this calculation?
A: Planck's constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency (or wavelength), serving as the fundamental proportionality constant in quantum mechanics.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for all types of electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the formula applies to all electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays, though the units may need adjustment for very large or very small values.