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Photon Wavelength Formula:
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The photon wavelength formula calculates the wavelength of a photon using its energy. This fundamental physics equation relates the energy of a photon to its wavelength through Planck's constant and the speed of light.
The calculator uses the photon wavelength formula:
Where:
Explanation: This equation demonstrates the inverse relationship between photon energy and wavelength - higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths.
Details: Calculating photon wavelength is essential in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and various applications including laser technology, medical imaging, and telecommunications.
Tips: Enter the photon energy in joules. The value must be positive and greater than zero. The calculator will compute the corresponding wavelength in meters.
Q1: What are typical energy values for photons?
A: Photon energies vary widely - from radio waves (10⁻²⁴ J) to gamma rays (10⁻¹³ J). Visible light photons have energies around 3-5×10⁻¹⁹ J.
Q2: Can I use electronvolts instead of joules?
A: Yes, but you'll need to convert to joules first (1 eV = 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ J) or adjust the formula accordingly.
Q3: Why does energy increase as wavelength decreases?
A: This is a fundamental property of electromagnetic radiation described by the Planck-Einstein relation. Shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequency and thus higher energy photons.
Q4: What is the range of photon wavelengths?
A: Photon wavelengths range from picometers (gamma rays) to kilometers (radio waves), covering the entire electromagnetic spectrum.
Q5: How accurate are the constants used?
A: The values used (h = 6.626×10⁻³⁴ J s, c = 3×10⁸ m/s) are standard approximations sufficient for most calculations, though more precise values are available for scientific research.