Calculate the energy of a photon of electromagnetic radiation at each of the following frequencies.

Question

Calculate the energy of a photon of electromagnetic radiation at each of the following frequencies.

1. 106.2 MHz (typical frequency for FM radio broadcasting)
2. 1065 kHz (typical frequency for AM radio broadcasting) (assume four significant figures)

Answer 1

The energy of an electromagnetic wave is determined by Plank's equation

E = hf

where

E = energy in Joules

h = Plank's constant = 6.626 x 10^-34 J/Hz

f = frequency

For f = 106.2 MHz

E = (6.626 x 10^-34 J/Hz)(106.2 x 10⁶ Hz) = 703.68 x 10^-28 J = 7.037 x 10^-26 J

For f = 1065 kHz

E = (6.626 x 10^-34 J/Hz)(1065 x 10³Hz) = 7056 x 10^-31J = 7.056 x 10^-28 J