Enter the frequency or wavelength of the photon into the calculator to determine its energy using Planck’s constant.
Energy Calculation Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the energy of a photon using Planck’s constant:
E = h \cdot f
Variables:
- E is the energy of the photon (Joules)
- h is Planck’s constant ($6.62607015 \times 10^{-34}$ Js)
- f is the frequency of the photon (Hz)
To calculate the energy, multiply the frequency of the photon by Planck’s constant.
What is Planck’s Constant?
Planck’s constant is a fundamental constant in physics that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. It is denoted by the symbol h and has a value of approximately $6.62607015 \times 10^{-34}$ Joule-seconds (Js). This constant is crucial in the field of quantum mechanics, where it sets the scale of quantum effects. The concept was introduced by Max Planck in 1900, marking the birth of quantum theory. It has since become a cornerstone of modern physics, appearing in various fundamental equations and governing the behavior of particles at the smallest scales.
How to Calculate Photon Energy?
The following steps outline how to calculate the energy of a photon using the given formula:
- First, determine the frequency or wavelength of the photon.
- If using frequency, apply the formula \(E = h \cdot f\).
- If using wavelength, first calculate the frequency using \(f = \frac{c}{\lambda}\), where \(c\) is the speed of light ($2.998 \times 10^8$ m/s) and \(\lambda\) is the