1. What is Photon Energy?

Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon with a given electromagnetic wavelength. It is directly proportional to the photon's electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its 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 shows that shorter wavelength photons (like gamma rays) carry more energy than longer wavelength photons (like radio waves).

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and understanding light-matter interactions. It helps determine if a photon has enough energy to excite electrons or break chemical bonds.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters. For common light wavelengths, remember:

• Visible light: ~400-700 nm (4×10⁻⁷ to 7×10⁻⁷ m)
• X-rays: ~0.01-10 nm (1×10⁻¹¹ to 1×10⁻⁸ m)
• Microwaves: ~1 mm to 1 m

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical photon energy values?
A: Visible light photons have energies of about 3×10⁻¹⁹ J (or ~2 eV), while gamma rays can have energies millions of times higher.

Q2: How can I convert the result to electronvolts (eV)?
A: Divide the energy in Joules by 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ to get eV. 1 eV = 1.602×10⁻¹⁹ J.

Q3: Why does the energy decrease with increasing wavelength?
A: Energy and wavelength have an inverse relationship - longer wavelengths mean the photon oscillates less frequently, carrying less energy.

Q4: What's the relationship between photon energy and color?
A: In visible light, violet photons (~400 nm) have about twice the energy of red photons (~700 nm).

Q5: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, it applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.