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Photon Energy Equation:
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Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon, which is directly proportional to its electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. For solar applications, this helps understand the energy potential of sunlight at different wavelengths.
The calculator uses the photon energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that shorter wavelength photons (like blue light) carry more energy than longer wavelength photons (like red light).
Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in solar energy applications, photovoltaic system design, spectroscopy, and understanding quantum effects in light-matter interactions.
Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters (typical solar wavelengths range from about 300 nm [3×10⁻⁷ m] for UV to 1100 nm [1.1×10⁻⁶ m] for near-infrared).
Q1: What is the typical energy range for solar photons?
A: Solar photons typically range from about 1.8 eV (infrared) to 3.1 eV (ultraviolet), with visible light around 1.6-3.0 eV.
Q2: How does photon energy relate to solar cell efficiency?
A: Solar cells can only convert photon energy above their bandgap, with excess energy typically lost as heat.
Q3: What's the relationship between photon energy and color?
A: Higher energy photons appear blue/violet, while lower energy photons appear red. Intermediate energies make up the other colors of the visible spectrum.
Q4: Can this calculator be used for non-solar photons?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all photons, though it's particularly relevant for solar applications.
Q5: Why is the result in scientific notation?
A: Photon energies are extremely small numbers (typically around 10⁻¹⁹ J), so scientific notation provides clearer representation.