1. What is the Photon Energy to Wavelength Equation?

The photon energy to wavelength equation relates the energy of a photon to its wavelength using Planck's constant and the speed of light. It's fundamental in quantum mechanics and electromagnetic theory.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength equation:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (299,792,458 m/s)
• \( E \) — Photon energy (joules)

Explanation: The equation shows the inverse relationship between photon energy and wavelength - higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Calculating wavelength from photon energy is crucial in spectroscopy, quantum physics, photochemistry, and understanding electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter photon energy in joules. Planck's constant and speed of light are pre-filled with standard values but can be modified if needed for specific calculations.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical photon energies?
A: Visible light photons have energies of about 1.6-3.1 eV (2.6-5.0 × 10⁻¹⁹ J). X-rays are about 100 eV to 100 keV.

Q2: How does wavelength relate to color?
A: In the visible spectrum: violet ~400 nm, red ~700 nm. Shorter wavelengths are higher energy (blue/violet), longer are lower energy (red).

Q3: Why are Planck's constant and speed of light constants?
A: These are fundamental physical constants that don't vary in our universe. Planck's constant relates energy to frequency, and c is the universal speed limit.

Q4: Can this be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all photons from radio waves to gamma rays, though practical measurement techniques vary.

Q5: What about electron volts instead of joules?
A: 1 eV = 1.602176634 × 10⁻¹⁹ J. For eV inputs, convert to joules first or modify the equation to use h in eV·s.