Home
Back
Photon Energy Equation:
| From: | To: |
The photon energy equation E = hf describes the energy of a photon, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s), and f is the frequency of the electromagnetic wave. This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics relates the particle and wave properties of light.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that the energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency. Higher frequency photons (e.g., gamma rays) have more energy than lower frequency photons (e.g., radio waves).
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in various fields including quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and telecommunications. It helps determine the energy required for electronic transitions, chemical reactions, and the behavior of light in different materials.
Tips: Enter the frequency in Hertz (Hz). The frequency must be a positive value. The calculator will compute the energy in Joules using Planck's constant.
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. Its value is approximately 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ Joule-seconds.
Q2: Can I calculate energy for multiple photons?
A: This equation calculates the energy of a single photon. For multiple photons, multiply the result by the number of photons.
Q3: How is this related to wavelength?
A: Energy can also be calculated using wavelength (λ) with the equation E = hc/λ, where c is the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s).
Q4: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons have energies ranging from approximately 3.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (red light) to 4.1 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (violet light).
Q5: Why is energy measured in Joules?
A: The Joule is the SI unit of energy. In atomic physics, electronvolts (eV) are also commonly used, where 1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.