1. What is Planck's Equation?

Planck's equation describes the relationship between the energy of a photon and its frequency. It is fundamental to quantum mechanics and explains the particle-like properties of electromagnetic waves.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Planck's equation:

Where:

• \( E \) — Energy of the photon (Joules)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( f \) — Frequency of the electromagnetic wave (Hz)

Explanation: The equation shows that the energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency, with Planck's constant as the proportionality factor.

3. Importance of Radiation Calculations

Details: These calculations are essential in quantum physics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and understanding electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter frequency in Hertz (Hz) and Planck's constant in Joule-seconds (J·s). The default value for Planck's constant is 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the significance of Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant is a fundamental physical constant that sets the scale of quantum effects and relates energy to frequency in quantum mechanics.

Q2: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, it applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, though the effects may differ at different energy scales.

Q3: How does this relate to wavelength?
A: Using the relation \( c = λf \) (where c is speed of light), the equation can also be written as \( E = hc/λ \).

Q4: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: Visible light photons have energies between about 1.6-3.1 eV (2.5-5.0 × 10⁻¹⁹ J), corresponding to frequencies of 400-750 THz.

Q5: Why is the energy value so small?
A: Individual photons carry very small amounts of energy, which is why we don't normally notice quantum effects in everyday life.