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Photon Energy Equation:
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The photon energy equation \( E = \frac{h c}{\lambda} \) calculates the energy of a photon based on its wavelength, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength. This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates the particle and wave properties of light.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that photon energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, photochemistry, and optical engineering. It helps determine the energy required for electronic transitions, chemical reactions, and the behavior of light in different materials.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in angstroms (Å). The calculator automatically converts to meters and computes the photon energy using the fundamental constants. The default value is set to 6000 Å as specified.
Q1: Why is wavelength converted from Å to meters?
A: The fundamental constants (h and c) are defined in SI units, so wavelength must be in meters for consistent calculation of energy in joules.
Q2: What is the energy range for visible light photons?
A: Visible light photons (400-700 nm) typically have energies between 1.8-3.1 eV (2.9-4.96 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).
Q3: Can this calculator be used for other electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all electromagnetic radiation from radio waves to gamma rays, though the energy values span many orders of magnitude.
Q4: How does photon energy relate to frequency?
A: Photon energy can also be calculated as E = hν, where ν is the frequency. This is equivalent to E = hc/λ since c = νλ.
Q5: What are typical units for photon energy?
A: While joules are the SI unit, electronvolts (eV) are commonly used in atomic and optical physics (1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).