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Energy to Wavelength Formula:
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The energy to wavelength conversion is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics and wave physics that relates the energy of a photon to its wavelength using Planck's constant and the speed of light.
The calculator uses the energy to wavelength formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula demonstrates the inverse relationship between a photon's energy and its wavelength - higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths.
Details: Calculating wavelength from energy is crucial in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, photochemistry, and telecommunications. It helps determine the properties of electromagnetic radiation and its interaction with matter.
Tips: Enter the energy value in joules (J). The energy must be a positive value greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding wavelength in meters.
Q1: What is Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant (h) is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. Its value is approximately 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s.
Q2: Can this formula be used for all types of waves?
A: This specific formula applies to electromagnetic waves (photons). For other wave types, different relationships between energy and wavelength may apply.
Q3: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons have energies ranging from approximately 3.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (red light) to 4.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (violet light).
Q4: How is this related to the photoelectric effect?
A: The energy-wavelength relationship is fundamental to understanding the photoelectric effect, where light of sufficient energy (short wavelength) can eject electrons from a material.
Q5: Can I use electronvolts instead of joules?
A: Yes, but you would need to convert electronvolts to joules first (1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J) before using this calculator.