Microwave ovens emit microwave energy with a wavelength of 12.2 cm. What is the energy of exactly one photon of this microwave radiation?

1 Answer
May 7, 2016

1.629×1024J, rounded to three decimal places.

Explanation:

Let us calculate the frequency ν of the photon.
We have the expression between the velocity of light in vacuum c=ν×λ
or ν=cλ......(1)

where λ is the wave-length of the electromagnetic radiation. c=3×108ms1

We also have the expression connecting frequency to energy of photon

E=hν .......(2)

where h is Planck's Constant and is 6.626×1034m2kgs1
From (1) and (2)
E=h×cλ
Inserting the constant and given value, after converting wavelength into m
E=6.626×1034×3×1080.122
or E=1.629×1024J, rounded to three decimal places.