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Planck-Einstein Relation:
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The Planck-Einstein relation describes the fundamental relationship between the energy of a photon and its wavelength. This equation is central to quantum mechanics and explains the particle-like properties of electromagnetic radiation.
The calculator uses the Planck-Einstein relation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that the energy of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including spectroscopy, quantum physics, photochemistry, and telecommunications. It helps determine the behavior of light in different materials and its interaction with matter.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. For common light wavelengths, remember that visible light ranges from approximately 380-750 nanometers (3.8×10⁻⁷ to 7.5×10⁻⁷ m).
Q1: Why is the energy value so small?
A: Photon energies at visible wavelengths are extremely small when measured in Joules, which is why they're often expressed in electronvolts (eV) in physics applications.
Q2: Can I use other units for wavelength?
A: Yes, but you must convert them to meters first. Common conversions: 1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m, 1 μm = 10⁻⁶ m.
Q3: Does this equation work for all types of electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the Planck-Einstein relation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.
Q4: What if I want to calculate energy in electronvolts?
A: Multiply the result in Joules by 6.242×10¹⁸ to convert to electronvolts (eV).
Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is theoretically exact for individual photons in a vacuum. The constants used are the most accurate values currently accepted.