Question

Microwave ovens emit microwave energy with a wavelength of 12.0 cm. what is the energy of exactly one photon of this microwave radiation?

Answer 1

The wavelength of the photon is:

`\lambda =12.0 cm=0.12 m`

We can find its frequency by using the relationship:

`f= (c)/(\lambda)`
where c is the speed of light. Substituting the wavelength into the formula, we find

`f= (c)/(\lambda)= (3 \cdot 10^8 m/s)/(0.12 m)=2.5 \cdot 10^9 Hz`

and now we can calculate the energy of the photon by using:

`E=hf=(6.6\cdot 10^(-34) Js)(2.5 \cdot 10^9 Hz)=1.65 \cdot 10^(-24) J`