Photon Energy Calculator
Calculate the energy of photons based on wavelength or frequency
About Photon Energy
The energy of a photon can be calculated using Planck’s equation: E = h × ν or alternatively E = (h × c) / λ, where:
- E is the photon energy
- h is Planck’s constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
- ν (nu) is the photon frequency
- λ (lambda) is the photon wavelength
- c is the speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s)
Frequently Asked Questions
Photon energy is the energy carried by a single photon, which is directly proportional to its electromagnetic frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength.
You can calculate photon energy from wavelength using the equation: E = (h × c) / λ, where h is Planck’s constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength.
Photon energy is most commonly expressed in electronvolts (eV) or joules (J). 1 eV equals approximately 1.602 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.
Photon Energy refers to the energy carried by a single photon, which is a particle of light or electromagnetic radiation. This energy depends on the photon’s frequency or wavelength.
Formula for Photon Energy
E= h⋅f
- E = Energy of the photon (in joules, J)
- h = Planck’s constant = 6.626×10−34 J\cdotps
- f = Frequency of the photon (in hertz, Hz)
Alternatively, since frequency and wavelength are related by f=cλf
- ccc = Speed of light = 3.00×108 m/s
- λ = Wavelength (in meters)
Photon Energy by Wavelength Example
| Wavelength (nm) | Type of Light | Photon Energy (eV) |
|---|---|---|
| 700 | Red Light | 1.77 eV |
| 550 | Green Light | 2.25 eV |
| 400 | Violet Light | 3.10 eV |
| 100 | Ultraviolet (UV) | 12.4 eV |
Conversion: 1 eV=1.602×10−19 J
Applications of Photon Energy
- Solar Cells: Convert photon energy into electrical energy.
- Photosynthesis: Plants absorb photons to drive chemical reactions.
- Lasers: Emit light with specific photon energies.
- X-ray Imaging: High-energy photons penetrate the body for diagnostics.