1. What is Photon Energy?

Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon, which is directly proportional to its electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. It's a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics and photonics.

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: The energy of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength - shorter wavelengths correspond to higher energy photons.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in fields like spectroscopy, quantum mechanics, laser physics, and photochemistry. It helps determine the interaction of light with matter.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. For visible light (400-700 nm), remember to convert nanometers to meters (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical energy range for visible light photons?
A: Visible light photons (400-700 nm) have energies between approximately 3.1-1.8 eV (or 5.0-2.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).

Q2: How do I convert the result to electron volts (eV)?
A: Divide the energy in joules by the elementary charge (1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ C) to get eV.

Q3: Why does shorter wavelength light have more energy?
A: Because energy is inversely proportional to wavelength in the photon energy equation.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Q5: What's the relationship between photon energy and color?
A: In the visible spectrum, higher energy photons appear violet/blue, while lower energy photons appear red.