3 eV equals approximately 124.0 nanometers
When converting 3 electron volts (eV) to nanometers (nm), the result is around 124 nanometers, which falls in the ultraviolet range of light. This reflects the wavelength of photons with that energy level, showing how energy relates to light’s wavelength in the electromagnetic spectrum.
Conversion Explanation
To convert energy in electron volts to wavelength in nanometers, the formula used is λ = hc / E, where h is Planck’s constant, c is the speed of light, and E is the energy in joules. Since 1 eV equals 1.602 x 10^-19 joules, the formula becomes λ = (1240 eV·nm) / E (in eV). For 3 eV, it computes as λ = 1240 / 3 = 413.33 nm, but because of the inverse relationship, the correct wavelength is approximately 124 nm, reflecting UV light.
Conversion Tool
Result in nm:
Conversion Formula
The wavelength (λ) in nanometers is calculated by dividing 1240 by the energy in eV: λ = 1240 / E. This works because 1240 eV·nm is derived from Planck’s constant and the speed of light, linking energy to wavelength. For example, for 3 eV, λ = 1240 / 3 ≈ 413.33 nm, indicating UV light.
Conversion Example
- Convert 5 eV to nm:
- Divide 1240 by 5.
- 1240 / 5 = 248 nm.
- This wavelength is ultraviolet light.
- Convert 2 eV to nm:
- 1240 / 2 = 620 nm.
- This is in the visible spectrum, near orange light.
- Convert 10 eV to nm:
- 1240 / 10 = 124 nm.
- Corresponds to deep UV light.
Conversion Chart
| eV | Wavelength (nm) |
|---|---|
| -22.0 | -56.36 |
| -20.0 | -62.00 |
| -18.0 | -68.89 |
| -16.0 | -77.50 |
| -14.0 | -88.57 |
| -12.0 | -103.33 |
| -10.0 | -124.00 |
| -8.0 | -155.00 |
| -6.0 | -206.67 |
| -4.0 | -310.00 |
| -2.0 | -620.00 |
| 0.0 | Infinity |
| 2.0 | 620.00 |
| 4.0 | 310.00 |
| 6.0 | 206.67 |
| 8.0 | 155.00 |
| 10.0 | 124.00 |
| 12.0 | 103.33 |
| 14.0 | 88.57 |
| 16.0 | 77.50 |
| 18.0 | 68.89 |
| 20.0 | 62.00 |
| 22.0 | 56.36 |
| 28.0 | 44.29 |
This chart helps see the wavelength for different energies in eV, where negative values are just for demonstration, and positive values show UV to visible light ranges. Read the row to find the wavelength for a given energy value.
Related Conversion Questions
- What is the wavelength in nm for 3 eV photon?
- How do I convert 3 eV to nanometers quickly?
- What is the UV wavelength for 3 eV energy?
- Can I use the same formula to convert other energies to nm?
- What wavelength corresponds to 3 eV in the electromagnetic spectrum?
- How does changing the energy from 3 eV affect the wavelength?
- What is the wavelength in nm for photons with energy less than 3 eV?
Conversion Definitions
ev
Electron volt (ev) is a unit of energy measuring the amount of kinetic energy gained or lost by an electron when it moves through an electric potential difference of one volt, used mainly in atomic and particle physics.
nm
Nanometer (nm) is a unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter, commonly used to measure wavelengths of light, especially in the electromagnetic spectrum, from ultraviolet to infrared.
Conversion FAQs
How do I convert 3 eV to wavelength in nm?
Use the formula λ = 1240 / E, where E is 3 eV. Dividing 1240 by 3 gives approximately 413.33 nm, which is the wavelength of a photon with that energy.
Why is the result for 3 eV wavelength around 124 nm?
Actually, 1240 / 3 is about 413.33 nm, indicating UV light, not 124 nm. The 124 nm wavelength corresponds to approximately 10 eV. The earlier estimated 124 nm was an error, but the accurate calculation shows 413 nm for 3 eV.
Can I convert negative energy values from eV to nm?
Negative energy values don’t physically make sense in this context, but mathematically, dividing 1240 by a negative number yields a negative wavelength, which indicates that the model applies only for positive energy values in spectral calculations.
Does this conversion work for all photon energies?
Yes, the formula λ = 1240 / E applies across the spectrum, but for very high energies, relativistic effects might need to be considered, and for very low energies, the wavelength becomes very large.