1. What is the Photon Energy Equation?

The photon energy equation (E = hf) relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, where h is Planck's constant. This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics describes the particle-like properties of electromagnetic waves.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the photon energy equation:

Where:

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

Explanation: The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency. Higher frequency photons (like gamma rays) carry more energy than lower frequency photons (like radio waves).

3. Importance of Photon Energy Calculation

Details: Calculating photon energy is essential in quantum physics, spectroscopy, photochemistry, and understanding electromagnetic radiation interactions with matter.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the photon frequency in Hertz (Hz). The value must be positive. For visible light, typical frequencies are around 4×10¹⁴ to 8×10¹⁴ Hz.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant (h) is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. Its value is approximately 6.626 × 10^-34 J·s.

Q2: Can I calculate energy using wavelength instead?
A: Yes, you can use the equation E = hc/λ where c is the speed of light and λ is the wavelength.

Q3: What are typical photon energies?
A: Radio wave photons have energies around 10^-9 eV, visible light photons about 1-3 eV, while gamma rays can have MeV or GeV energies.

Q4: Why is photon energy quantized?
A: According to quantum theory, electromagnetic energy is transferred in discrete packets (quanta) called photons, with energy proportional to frequency.

Q5: How is this related to the photoelectric effect?
A: The photoelectric effect demonstrates that light energy is quantized, with photon energy needing to exceed a material's work function to eject electrons.