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Wavelength from Energy Equation:
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The wavelength-energy relationship is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics that connects the energy of a photon to its wavelength through Planck's constant and the speed of light. This relationship is crucial in fields like spectroscopy, quantum physics, and photochemistry.
The calculator uses the wavelength-energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that wavelength is inversely proportional to energy - higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths.
Details: Calculating wavelength from energy is essential for understanding electromagnetic radiation properties, designing optical systems, and analyzing atomic spectra. It's used in applications ranging from laser technology to astronomy.
Tips: Enter the photon energy in joules. The value must be positive. For typical photon energies, you'll need to use scientific notation (e.g., 4.5e-19 for visible light photons).
Q1: Can I use electron volts (eV) instead of joules?
A: Yes, but you'll need to convert eV to joules first (1 eV = 1.60218 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).
Q2: What's the wavelength range for visible light?
A: Approximately 380-750 nm (3.8 × 10⁻⁷ to 7.5 × 10⁻⁷ meters).
Q3: Why is the speed of light constant in this equation?
A: In vacuum, the speed of light is a fundamental constant (c ≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s) that relates frequency and wavelength.
Q4: How does this relate to the photoelectric effect?
A: The same energy-wavelength relationship explains why only light above certain frequencies (with sufficient energy per photon) can eject electrons in the photoelectric effect.
Q5: What's the practical application of this calculation?
A: It's used in designing lasers, analyzing star spectra, creating LED lighting, and understanding molecular absorption spectra.