Last updated: Jul 31, 2024

Wavelength to Energy Calculator

Q: How do I calculate energy from wavelength?

To calculate a photon's energy from its wavelength: Multiply Planck's constant, 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s by the speed of light, 299,792,458 m/s. Divide this resulting number by your wavelength in meters. The result is the photon's energy in joules .

Q: What is the energy of a 100 nm photon?

The energy of a 100 nm photon is 12.39847 eV or 1.99 × 10⁻¹⁸ J . To get this result: Employ Planck's equation: E = h × c / λ where λ = 100 nm is the wavelength, h = 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s Planck's constant and c = 299792458 m/s the speed of light. Replace, E = (6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s) × (299792458 m/s) / 100 nm = 1.986454 × 10⁻¹⁸ J . To express the result in electronvolts, apply the conversion factor 1 eV = 1.602176565 × 10⁻¹⁹ J . Therefore: E = 1.986454 × 10⁻¹⁸ J / (1.602176565 × 10⁻¹⁹ J/eV) = 12.39847 eV

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The wavelength to energy formula – Planck's equation How do I calculate energy from wavelength?More wavelength and energy calculators!FAQs

This is Omni's wavelength to energy calculator, a tool that instantly calculates a photon's energy from its wavelength. By using Planck's equation, this tool will help you determine a photon's energy in joules (J), electronvolts (eV), or its multiples.

In this article, you'll also find the Planck equation, a step-by-step guide on how to calculate the energy from the wavelength of a photon and how to get this result in joules or electronvolts.

The wavelength to energy formula – Planck's equation

Planck's equation, also known as Planck's relation, is an expression that allows you to define a photon's energy E in terms of its wave properties. Planck's relation states that the energy is directly proportional to its frequency $f$ :

E = h \cdot f

Or inversely proportional to wavelength $\lambda$ , by recalling the relationship between frequency and wavelength, $f = c / \lambda$ :

E = \dfrac {h \cdot c}{\lambda}

where:

$E$ — Photon energy;
$h$ — Planck's constant, 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s or 4.1357 × 10⁻¹⁵ eV⋅s;
$c$ — Speed of light, 299792458 m/s;
$\lambda$ — Wavelength; and
$f$ — Photon frequency.

Notice that if a photon's frequency $f$ or wavelength $\lambda$ are known, you can directly determine its energy $E$ since the other elements in the equation are constants.

🙋 The energy of a photon is commonly expressed using the unit electronvolt (eV), but it can also be expressed in other energy units, such as joules (J).

How do I calculate energy from wavelength?

To calculate a photon's energy from its wavelength:

Multiply Planck's constant, 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s by the speed of light, 299,792,458 m/s.
Divide this resulting number by your wavelength in meters.
The result is the photon's energy in joules.

More wavelength and energy calculators!

If you enjoyed using this tool and you'd like to get more information about a photon's energy and its wavelength, we invite you to visit more of our related tools:

FAQs

How do I find the energy in joules given the wavelength?

To find the energy in joules given the wavelength of a photon:

Use Planck's equation E = h × c / λ and substitute the values of the wavelength (λ), Planck's constant in joules (h = 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s), and speed of light (c = 299792458 m/s).
With these units, you'll get an energy result in joules (J).
That's it!

How do I convert wavelength to energy in eV?

In order to convert a wavelength to energy in electronvolts (eV):

Utilize Planck's energy equation E = h × c / λ.
Substitute the values of the wavelength (λ), Planck's constant (h = 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s), and speed of light (c = 299792458 m/s).
You'll get a result in joules (J).
To go from joules (J) to electronvolts (eV), use the conversion factor 1 eV = 1.602176565 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.
Finally, to express your result in electronvolts, divide the energy in joules by the conversion factor:

E [J] / 1.602176565 e⁻¹⁹ J/eV = E [eV]

How do I calculate the energy of a photon of wavelength 3.5 μm?

To calculate the energy of a photon of wavelength 3.5 μm:

Employ Planck's energy equation, E = h × c / λ.
Use the values of the wavelength λ = 3.5 μm, Planck's constant h = 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s and speed of light c = 299792458 m/s.
Substitute into Planck's equation, E = (6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s) × (299792458 m/s) / 3.5 μm.
After performing the required operations, you'll get the energy value E = 354.242 meV.

What is the energy of a 100 nm photon?

The energy of a 100 nm photon is 12.39847 eV or 1.99 × 10⁻¹⁸ J. To get this result:

Employ Planck's equation:

E = h × c / λ

where λ = 100 nm is the wavelength, h = 6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s Planck's constant and c = 299792458 m/s the speed of light.
Replace, E = (6.6261 × 10⁻³⁴ J⋅s) × (299792458 m/s) / 100 nm = 1.986454 × 10⁻¹⁸ J.
To express the result in electronvolts, apply the conversion factor 1 eV = 1.602176565 × 10⁻¹⁹ J. Therefore:

E = 1.986454 × 10⁻¹⁸ J / (1.602176565 × 10⁻¹⁹ J/eV) = 12.39847 eV