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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.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation demonstrates the inverse relationship between photon energy and wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is fundamental in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and various applications including laser technology, medical imaging, and solar energy conversion.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. The calculator will compute the corresponding photon energy in Joules. Wavelength must be a positive value greater than zero.
Q1: What are typical wavelength values for visible light?
A: Visible light wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red), which is 3.8 × 10⁻⁷ m to 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ m.
Q2: How can I convert the energy to electronvolts?
A: To convert from Joules to electronvolts, divide the energy value by 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ (since 1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).
Q3: Why does shorter wavelength mean higher energy?
A: According to quantum mechanics, photon energy is inversely proportional to wavelength (E ∝ 1/λ), meaning photons with shorter wavelengths carry more energy.
Q4: What is the relationship between frequency and energy?
A: Photon energy is directly proportional to frequency (E = hν), where ν is the frequency. This is equivalent to E = hc/λ since c = νλ.
Q5: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, this equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.