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 (6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (299,792,458 m/s)
• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)

Explanation: The equation shows that shorter wavelength photons carry more energy than longer wavelength photons.

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in fields like spectroscopy, quantum physics, photochemistry, and optical engineering. It helps determine light-matter interactions and is fundamental to technologies like lasers and solar cells.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wavelength in meters (1 nm = 1 × 10⁻⁹ m). The value must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the energy of a single photon at that wavelength.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does photon energy relate to color?
A: Visible light photons range from about 1.65 eV (red) to 3.26 eV (violet). Higher energy photons appear bluer to our eyes.

Q2: What's the energy of a photon from a common laser pointer?
A: A 650 nm red laser pointer emits photons with about 3.06 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (or 1.91 eV) each.

Q3: Why is Planck's constant important?
A: Planck's constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, establishing the quantum nature of light.

Q4: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, it applies to all photons from radio waves to gamma rays, though very high energy photons may require relativistic considerations.

Q5: How is photon energy measured experimentally?
A: Through techniques like photoelectron spectroscopy or by measuring the wavelength and using this equation.