Calculate the energy of a photon of electromagnetic radiation at each of the frequencies indicated in Problem 40. a. 100.2 MHz (typical frequency for FM radio broadcasting) b. 1070 kHz (typical frequency for AM radio broadcasting) (assume four significant figures) c. 835.6 MHz (common frequency used for cell phone communication)

Key Concepts

Photon Energy

The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency, described by the equation E = hν, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant (6.626 x 10^-34 J·s), and ν (nu) is the frequency in hertz. This relationship indicates that higher frequency photons carry more energy, which is crucial for understanding electromagnetic radiation.

Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic spectrum encompasses all types of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from radio waves to gamma rays. Frequencies mentioned in the question, such as MHz and kHz, fall within the radio wave region of the spectrum, which is used for various communication technologies, including FM and AM radio broadcasting.

Significant Figures

Significant figures are the digits in a number that contribute to its precision. When performing calculations, especially in scientific contexts, it is essential to maintain the correct number of significant figures to ensure accuracy and reliability in the results, as indicated in the problem's instruction to assume four significant figures.