Wavelength to Energy Calculator
Calculate photon energy, frequency, and wavelength using Planck's equation
Photon Properties Calculator
Distance between wave peaks
Calculation Results
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Visible Light
Range: 400 - 700 nm
Formula used: E = h × c / λ (Planck's equation)
Constants: h = 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s, c = 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s
Example Calculations
Visible Light (Green)
Given: Wavelength = 500 nm
Formula: E = h × c / λ
Calculation: E = (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s) × (2.998 × 10⁸ m/s) / (500 × 10⁻⁹ m)
Result: E = 3.97 × 10⁻¹⁹ J = 2.48 eV
Analysis: Typical energy for green photons
X-Ray Photon
Given: Wavelength = 0.1 nm
Calculation: E = (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴) × (2.998 × 10⁸) / (0.1 × 10⁻⁹)
Result: E = 1.99 × 10⁻¹⁵ J = 12.4 keV
Analysis: High-energy medical X-ray range
Infrared Radiation
Given: Wavelength = 3.5 μm
Calculation: E = (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴) × (2.998 × 10⁸) / (3.5 × 10⁻⁶)
Result: E = 5.68 × 10⁻²⁰ J = 354 meV
Analysis: Thermal infrared from body heat
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Physical Constants
Planck's Constant
h = 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s
h = 4.136 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV⋅s
Speed of Light
c = 2.998 × 10⁸ m/s
c = 299,792,458 m/s (exact)
Conversion Factor
1 eV = 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J
1 J = 6.242 × 10¹⁸ eV
Common Applications
Medical Physics
X-ray imaging, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine
Astronomy
Stellar spectroscopy, cosmic radiation analysis
Materials Science
Photoemission, band gap measurements
Quantum Physics
Photoelectric effect, quantum mechanics
Understanding Photon Energy and Wavelength
Planck's Quantum Theory
Max Planck's revolutionary theory established that electromagnetic radiation is quantized into discrete packets of energy called photons. Each photon carries energy proportional to its frequency, leading to the fundamental equation E = hf.
Wave-Particle Duality
- •Light exhibits both wave and particle properties
- •Energy is quantized in discrete photon packets
- •Higher frequency = shorter wavelength = higher energy
Key Relationships
The fundamental relationships between photon properties are interconnected through physical constants. Understanding these relationships is crucial for applications in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and modern physics.
Energy Units
Electromagnetic Spectrum Properties
High Energy (Short λ)
- • Gamma rays: Nuclear processes
- • X-rays: Medical imaging
- • UV: Chemical reactions
- • Ionizing radiation effects
Visible Light
- • Human vision: 400-700 nm
- • Photosynthesis: ~680 nm
- • Solar peak: ~500 nm
- • Color perception
Low Energy (Long λ)
- • Infrared: Heat radiation
- • Microwave: Communications
- • Radio: Broadcasting
- • Non-ionizing effects
Real-World Applications
Scientific Research
- • Spectroscopy and material analysis
- • Atomic and molecular physics
- • Quantum optics experiments
- • Laser physics and photonics
Technology Applications
- • Solar cell efficiency calculations
- • LED and laser design
- • Medical imaging and therapy
- • Telecommunications systems