Planck's constant

(plängks)
n. (Symbol h)
The constant of proportionality relating the energy of a photon to the frequency of that photon. Its value is approximately 6.626 × 10 ^-34 joule-seconds.

[After Max Karl Ernst Ludwig PLANCK.]

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To convert from Planck's constant to:

erg-second, multiply by 6.624E-27.

Convert:  Into:  erg-second

Result:

A universal constant, first discovered by Max Planck, that states the mathematical relationship between the frequency of an electromagnetic wave and the energy in that wave. Planck's discovery unifies the seemingly contradictory observations that energy sometimes acts like a wave and at other times acts as if it is made up of particles.

Knowing Planck's constant sets the scale of energy for events in which the atom and subatomic particles take part.

symbol: h; a fundamental constant of proportionality between the frequency, ν, of electromagnetic radiation and the energy, E, of a quantum of the radiation; i.e. h = E/ ν. It has a value of 6.626 075 5(40) × 10⁻³⁴ J s. [After Max Karl Ernst Ludwig Planck (1858 — 1947), German physicist.]

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For a list of words related to Planck’s constant, see:

• Principles of Mechanics, Waves, and Measurement - Planck’s constant: fundamental determinant of values in quantum mechanics, expressing ratio of energy of one quantum of radiation to its frequency, equal to 6.624 x 10^-27 erg-seconds
• Constants, Theories, and Values - Planck’s constant: h; fundamental constant of quantum theory, equal to the ratio of the energy of a quantum of radiation to its frequency, or 6.63 x 10^-34 joule-seconds

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