1. What is an Energy to Wavelength Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts the energy of a photon to its corresponding wavelength using Planck's constant and the speed of light.

Purpose: It helps physicists, chemists, and students understand the relationship between photon energy and electromagnetic wavelength.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength (meters)
• \( h \) — Planck's constant (6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s)
• \( c \) — Speed of light (3 × 10⁸ m/s)
• \( E \) — Photon energy (joules)

Explanation: The product of Planck's constant and speed of light is divided by the photon energy to determine wavelength.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: Understanding this relationship is fundamental in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and understanding electromagnetic radiation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the photon energy in joules, Planck's constant (default 6.626E-34 J·s), and speed of light (default 3E8 m/s). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical photon energy range?
A: Visible light photons range from about 3.3 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (red) to 5 × 10⁻¹⁹ J (violet).

Q2: Why are the numbers in scientific notation?
A: Quantum-scale values are extremely small, so scientific notation makes them more manageable.

Q3: Can I calculate energy from wavelength?
A: Yes, simply rearrange the formula to \( E = \frac{h \times c}{\lambda} \).

Q4: What if my wavelength result is very small?
A: You may want to convert to nanometers (1 nm = 10⁻⁹ m) for visible light applications.

Q5: Does this work for all electromagnetic radiation?
A: Yes, the formula applies to all photons from radio waves to gamma rays.