Planck’s constant ($h$) is a fundamental constant that relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. It has a value of approximately $6.626 \times 10^{-34}$ Js.
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Planck’s constant is integral to the equation $E = hf$, where $E$ is energy, $h$ is Planck's constant, and $f$ is frequency.
It was introduced by Max Planck in 1900 as part of his solution to the black-body radiation problem.
Planck's constant plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics, helping to describe the quantization of energy levels.
The value of Planck's constant is approximately $6.626 \times 10^{-34}$ Joule seconds (Js).
It is also used in Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, which states that the position and momentum of a particle cannot both be precisely determined simultaneously.
Review Questions
What equation involves Planck’s constant to relate energy and frequency?
Who introduced Planck’s constant and in what context?
How does Planck’s constant relate to Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle?
Related terms
Photon: A quantum of light or other electromagnetic radiation carrying energy proportional to its frequency.
Black-body Radiation: The emission of electromagnetic radiation by an idealized object which absorbs all incident radiation, regardless of frequency or angle.
Quantization: The concept that energy can exist only in discrete levels rather than any value.