What does the equation E = hc/λ reveal about light?

The equation E = hc/λ reveals that energy (E) of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength (λ). In this equation, h represents Planck’s constant, and c is the speed of light. This relationship indicates that as the wavelength increases, the energy of the photon decreases. Thus, longer wavelengths correspond to lower energy photons.

For instance, if you consider the electromagnetic spectrum, red light has a longer wavelength than blue light, and as a consequence, red light carries less energy than blue light. Understanding this relationship is crucial in various domains, such as in spectroscopy and the study of atomic and molecular transitions, where energy levels can be directly associated with the wavelengths of light absorbed or emitted.

This interpretation of the equation underscores the fundamental characteristics of light and its interaction with matter, specifically how different wavelengths correspond to different energy levels in various contexts.