1. What is Photon Wavelength?

The wavelength of a photon is the distance over which the photon's wave shape repeats. It is inversely proportional to the photon's energy and determines many of its properties, including what color of light it represents (for visible photons).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wavelength equation:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength in meters (m)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s)
• \( E \) — Photon energy in joules (J)

Explanation: Higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths, while lower energy photons have longer wavelengths.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Calculating photon wavelength is essential in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, optical communications, and understanding electromagnetic radiation across the spectrum from radio waves to gamma rays.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the photon energy in joules (J). The value must be positive. For electronvolts (eV), first convert to joules (1 eV = 1.60218 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the relationship between wavelength and frequency?
A: Wavelength and frequency are inversely related through the speed of light: \( c = \lambda \times \nu \), where \( \nu \) is frequency.

Q2: How does wavelength relate to color?
A: In the visible spectrum, different wavelengths correspond to different colors: ~400-450 nm (violet) to ~650-700 nm (red).

Q3: What's a typical wavelength range for visible light?
A: Approximately 380-750 nanometers (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m).

Q4: Can this calculator be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum.

Q5: Why is Planck's constant important?
A: Planck's constant relates the energy of a photon to its frequency (E = hν), bridging particle and wave properties of light.