Planck's Equation:
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Planck's equation, E = hf, relates the energy of a photon to its frequency, where h is Planck's constant (6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s). This fundamental equation in quantum mechanics describes the quantized nature of energy.
The calculator uses Planck's equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that the energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency, with Planck's constant as the proportionality factor.
Details: This equation is fundamental to quantum mechanics and explains phenomena such as the photoelectric effect, black-body radiation, and the quantization of energy levels in atoms.
Tips: Enter the frequency in Hertz (Hz). The frequency must be a positive value greater than zero.
Q1: What is the value of Planck's constant?
A: Planck's constant is approximately 6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ joule-seconds (J·s).
Q2: Can this equation be used for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, Planck's equation applies to all photons across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio waves to gamma rays.
Q3: How is this related to the wavelength of light?
A: Using the relationship c = fλ (where c is the speed of light), the equation can also be written as E = hc/λ.
Q4: What are typical energy values for visible light?
A: For visible light (frequencies around 4.3-7.5 × 10¹⁴ Hz), photon energies range from about 1.8 to 3.3 electronvolts (2.9-5.3 × 10⁻¹⁹ J).
Q5: Why is Planck's constant so small?
A: Planck's constant is small because it relates macroscopic energy measurements to quantum-scale phenomena. Its small value reflects the fact that quantum effects become significant only at very small scales.