How many photons are contained in a burst of yellow light (589 nm) from a sodium lamp that contains 623 kJ of energy?

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Chemistry

Amanda Holt

7 March, 20:16

How many photons are contained in a burst of yellow light (589 nm) from a sodium lamp that contains 623 kJ of energy?

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Devan Cowan · Answer 1

First we need to find the energy of one photon with a wavelength of 589 nm. E = hc / wavelength E = (6.63 x 10^{-34} J s) (3 x 10^8 m/s) / (589 x 10^{-9} m) E = 3.3769 x 10^{-19} Joules To find N, the number of photons, we need to divide the total energy by the energy of each photon. N = 623000 J / 3.3769 x 10^{-19} Joules N = 1.84 x 10^{24} photons There are 1.84 x 10^{24} photons in the burst of yellow light.