What is the energy of a photon & what potential difference must electrons be?

In summary, the energy of a photon is determined by its frequency and is directly proportional to it. This is described by the equation E = hf, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and f is frequency. The potential difference of electrons is the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric circuit, measured in volts (V). The energy of a photon and the potential difference of electrons are related through the photoelectric effect, where the minimum energy required to eject an electron is directly proportional to the potential difference. The energy of a photon and the energy of an electron are also directly related, with the energy of the photon being transferred to the electron upon interaction. The energy of a photon affects its behavior by determining its
  • #1
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Homework Statement


a) What is the energy of a photon that has a wavelength of 0.10 μm?
b) Through approximately what potential difference must electrons be accelerated so that they will exhibit wave nature in passing through an aperture 0.10 μm in diameter?

The Attempt at a Solution


I've already done part (a) but I'm having trouble understanding whether I should take the diameter of that aperture as the wavelength in part (b).
 
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  • #2
When does an electron show its wavelike behaviour? This is the key for (b).
 

Related to What is the energy of a photon & what potential difference must electrons be?

What is the energy of a photon?

The energy of a photon is determined by its frequency, which is directly proportional to its energy. This relationship is described by the equation E = hf, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and f is frequency. The higher the frequency of a photon, the higher its energy.

What is the potential difference of electrons?

The potential difference of electrons refers to the difference in electric potential between two points in an electric circuit. It is measured in volts (V) and can be calculated by dividing the work done on the electron by its charge. The potential difference is what causes electrons to flow through a circuit and is essential for the functioning of electronic devices.

How is the energy of a photon related to the potential difference of electrons?

The energy of a photon and the potential difference of electrons are related through the photoelectric effect. When a photon with enough energy strikes a material, it can cause electrons to be ejected from the material. The minimum energy required to eject an electron is called the work function, and it is directly proportional to the potential difference. Therefore, the higher the potential difference, the higher the energy of the photons needed to eject electrons.

What is the relationship between photon energy and electron energy?

The energy of a photon and the energy of an electron are directly related. When a photon interacts with an electron, it can transfer its energy to the electron, causing it to become excited and move to a higher energy state. The amount of energy transferred is equal to the energy of the photon. This relationship is important in various fields such as solar energy and quantum mechanics.

How does the energy of a photon affect its behavior?

The energy of a photon determines its behavior in various ways. Higher energy photons have shorter wavelengths and can penetrate materials more easily, making them useful in medical imaging and radiation therapy. Additionally, the energy of a photon determines its color or frequency, which can be used to identify and study different types of radiation. In quantum mechanics, the energy of a photon also determines the energy levels of atoms and molecules, leading to the absorption and emission of specific frequencies of light.

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