| A
quantum of electromagnetic energy is called a photon You can think of
photons as 'light particles' - quanta of energy - discrete packages (that
can't be split)...... little packets of wave energy - wavelets!
The energy of a
photon is proportional to its frequency.
E
= hf
The constant of
proportionality is called the Planck constant. It has the symbol 'h'
and is on your data sheet. It has a value of 6.63 x 10 -34
Js
Now, for all electromagnetic
radiation the velocity is 'c' (the speed of light - again on your data
sheet as 3.0 x 108 m/s).
Combining this equation
with the wave equation we have:

(always
write it this way - learn to - it saves time!)
Try
this question:
A
50W lamp radiates in the visible region of the spectrun (400 to 700
nm). Estimate the number of photons produces each second by the lamp.
Click
here for the
answer
Now,
Einsein's equation E = mc2 links mass and energy. Mass
can be converted into energy and vice versa.
We
can therefore find the mass equivalent of a photon and then work
out its momentum!
E
= hf = mc2
so,
mphoton
= hf/c2
and
as the momentum of the photon = mc
pphoton
= hf/c
but
f
= c/l
so
pphoton = h/l
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