1. What is Planck's Constant?

Planck's constant (h) is a fundamental physical constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. It is a cornerstone of quantum mechanics and has a value of approximately 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Planck's constant formula:

Where:

• \( h \) — Planck's constant (J·s)
• \( E \) — Energy of the photon (J)
• \( f \) — Frequency of the photon (Hz)

Explanation: This formula demonstrates the quantized nature of energy, showing that energy is transferred in discrete quanta proportional to frequency.

3. Importance of Planck's Constant

Details: Planck's constant is fundamental to quantum mechanics and appears in many important equations, including the Schrödinger equation and the photoelectric effect formula. It's used in various fields including quantum computing, spectroscopy, and particle physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter energy in joules (J) and frequency in hertz (Hz). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the exact value of Planck's constant?
A: The currently accepted value is 6.62607015 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s, which is now defined as an exact value in the SI system.

Q2: Why is Planck's constant important in quantum mechanics?
A: It establishes the scale at which quantum effects become significant and shows that energy is quantized rather than continuous.

Q3: How was Planck's constant first determined?
A: Max Planck derived it in 1900 while studying black-body radiation, which led to the birth of quantum theory.

Q4: What are the practical applications of Planck's constant?
A: It's used in technologies like LEDs, lasers, electron microscopes, and in defining the kilogram in the International System of Units.

Q5: How does Planck's constant relate to the photoelectric effect?
A: Einstein used it in the photoelectric effect equation E = hf, showing that light consists of photons with energy proportional to frequency.