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Photon Calculation Formula:
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The photon calculation formula \( N = \frac{E}{h \nu} \) determines the number of photons (N) in a light beam based on the total energy (E), Planck's constant (h), and the frequency of light (ν). This formula is fundamental in quantum mechanics and photonics.
The calculator uses the photon calculation formula:
Where:
Explanation: This equation calculates how many individual photons are contained in a light beam of given energy and frequency, based on the quantum nature of light where each photon carries energy equal to hν.
Details: Calculating photon numbers is essential in quantum optics, photochemistry, spectroscopy, and various applications including laser technology, solar energy conversion, and quantum computing.
Tips: Enter energy in joules, Planck's constant in J s (default value provided), and frequency in Hz. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is the photon number dimensionless?
A: The photon count represents a pure number (quantity), which is the ratio of total energy to energy per photon, resulting in a dimensionless value.
Q2: Can I use this for different light sources?
A: Yes, this formula applies to all electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays, as long as you know the frequency and total energy.
Q3: What if I know wavelength instead of frequency?
A: You can convert wavelength to frequency using \( \nu = \frac{c}{\lambda} \), where c is the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s).
Q4: Does this work for monochromatic light only?
A: This formula calculates photons for a specific frequency. For polychromatic light, you would need to calculate for each frequency component separately.
Q5: How precise is Planck's constant?
A: The value of Planck's constant is precisely defined as 6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ J s in the SI system since the 2019 redefinition of SI base units.