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Energy and Wavelength Equation:
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The energy and wavelength equation \( E = \frac{h c}{\lambda} \) relates the energy of a photon to its wavelength, where h is Planck's constant and c is the speed of light. This fundamental equation is used in quantum mechanics and electromagnetic theory.
The calculator uses the energy-wavelength equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum physics, photochemistry, and optical engineering. It helps determine the behavior of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter.
Tips: Enter wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding photon energy in Joules.
Q1: What are typical wavelength values?
A: Visible light ranges from 380-750 nm (3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7.5×10⁻⁷ m), while radio waves can be meters long and gamma rays smaller than 10⁻¹² m.
Q2: Why is energy measured in Joules?
A: The Joule is the SI unit of energy, making it the standard unit for scientific calculations involving photon energy.
Q3: 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.
Q4: How does energy relate to frequency?
A: Using the relationship c = λν, the equation can also be written as E = hν, where ν is frequency.
Q5: What are practical applications of this calculation?
A: This calculation is used in designing lasers, analyzing spectral data, calculating photon energies in medical imaging, and understanding quantum phenomena.