1. What is the Photon Energy Equation?

The photon energy equation \( E = \frac{h c}{\lambda} \) calculates the energy of a photon based on its wavelength, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the photon energy equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: This equation demonstrates the inverse relationship between photon energy and wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and various applications including laser technology, medical imaging, and solar energy conversion.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. The value must be positive and non-zero. For common wavelengths, remember that 1 nanometer = 10⁻⁹ meters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical wavelength values for visible light?
A: Visible light wavelengths range from approximately 380 nm (violet) to 750 nm (red), which is 3.8 × 10⁻⁷ m to 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ m.

Q2: How can I convert the result to electronvolts?
A: To convert from joules to electronvolts, divide by 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ (since 1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).

Q3: Why is Planck's constant so small?
A: Planck's constant is fundamental to quantum mechanics and represents the quantization of energy at atomic scales, which is why it has such a small magnitude.

Q4: Does this equation apply to all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, this equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.

Q5: What is the relationship between energy and frequency?
A: The equivalent equation using frequency is E = hν, where ν is the frequency. This is related to the wavelength equation through c = λν.