Energy-Wavelength Relation:
From: | To: |
The energy-wavelength relation describes the fundamental relationship between the energy of a photon and its wavelength, derived from Planck's equation and the wave-particle duality of light.
The calculator uses the energy-wavelength equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that photon energy is inversely proportional to its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is crucial in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and optical engineering for understanding light-matter interactions.
Tips: Enter wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and non-zero. For common wavelengths, remember that 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m.
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, with a value of approximately 6.626×10⁻³⁴ J·s.
Q2: How does wavelength affect energy?
A: Energy is inversely proportional to wavelength - as wavelength decreases, energy increases, and vice versa.
Q3: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons (400-700 nm) have energies ranging from about 3.1 to 1.8 electronvolts (5.0×10⁻¹⁹ to 2.8×10⁻¹⁹ J).
Q4: 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.
Q5: How is this related to the photoelectric effect?
A: This energy-wavelength relationship is fundamental to understanding the photoelectric effect, where photons must have sufficient energy to eject electrons from a material.