Photon Energy Calculator
Calculate the energy of a photon from its frequency or wavelength.
Photon Parameters
Hz
nm
Photon Energy Formulas
The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength.
From Frequency:
E = hf
From Wavelength:
E = hc / λ
Where:
- E = Photon Energy (Joules or electronvolts)
- h = Planck's Constant (6.626 × 10-34 J·s)
- f = Frequency (Hz)
- c = Speed of Light in vacuum (2.998 × 108 m/s)
- λ = Wavelength (meters)
Photon Energy Examples
| Light Type | Wavelength (nm) | Frequency (Hz) | Energy (eV) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Light | 700 | 4.28 × 1014 | 1.77 |
| Green Light | 550 | 5.45 × 1014 | 2.25 |
| Blue Light | 450 | 6.66 × 1014 | 2.76 |
| UV Light | 250 | 1.20 × 1015 | 4.96 |
| X-ray | 0.1 | 3.00 × 1018 | 12.4 keV |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a photon?
A photon is a quantum of light and all other forms of electromagnetic radiation. It is the elementary particle of light, and it always moves at the speed of light in a vacuum.
How is photon energy calculated from frequency?
The energy of a photon (E) is directly proportional to its frequency (f). The formula is E = hf, where h is Planck's constant (approximately 6.626 × 10⁻³⁴ J·s).
How is photon energy calculated from wavelength?
Since frequency (f) and wavelength (λ) are related by the speed of light (c) (f = c/λ), the photon energy can also be calculated as E = hc/λ, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum (approximately 3 × 10⁸ m/s).