Photon Energy Equation:
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The energy of a photon emitted during an electron transition is calculated as the difference between the initial and final energy levels of the electron. This principle is fundamental to quantum mechanics and atomic physics.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: When an electron transitions from a higher energy state to a lower one, the energy difference is emitted as a photon with energy equal to that difference.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential for understanding atomic spectra, quantum transitions, and various applications in spectroscopy, laser technology, and quantum computing.
Tips: Enter both initial and final energy values in Joules. Ensure the initial energy is greater than the final energy for a valid photon emission calculation.
Q1: What units should I use for energy values?
A: The calculator uses Joules as the standard unit. You can convert from electronvolts (eV) to Joules using the conversion factor 1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.
Q2: What if the final energy is higher than the initial energy?
A: This would represent photon absorption rather than emission. The calculator requires E_initial > E_final for photon emission.
Q3: Can this calculator be used for hydrogen atom transitions?
A: Yes, you can input the energy levels calculated from the Bohr model or other quantum mechanical models.
Q4: How precise are the calculations?
A: The calculator provides results with 6 decimal places, but the actual precision depends on the accuracy of your input values.
Q5: What's the relationship between photon energy and wavelength?
A: Photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength according to the equation E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light.