1. What Is The Energy-Wavelength Equation?

The energy-wavelength equation, E = hc/λ, 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 in quantum mechanics describes the energy carried by electromagnetic radiation.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the energy-wavelength equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy of the photon (Joules)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3×10⁸ m/s)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance Of Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, photochemistry, and understanding electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. For common wavelengths, remember that 1 nanometer = 10⁻⁹ meters. The wavelength must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons (400-700 nm) have energies ranging from approximately 3.1 to 1.8 electronvolts (5.0×10⁻¹⁹ to 2.8×10⁻¹⁹ Joules).

Q2: How does this relate to the photon's frequency?
A: The equation can also be written as E = hν, where ν is frequency, since c = λν.

Q3: Why is Planck's constant important?
A: Planck's constant is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, forming the basis of quantum mechanics.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all forms of electromagnetic radiation, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Q5: How small are these energy values?
A: Photon energies are extremely small in Joules, which is why they are often expressed in electronvolts (1 eV = 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ J).