Ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damage biological molecules because they carry enough energy to break bonds within the molecules. A carbon-carbon bond requires 348 kJ/mol to break. What is the longest wavelength of radiation with enough energy to break carbon-carbon bonds?

(just looking for the equation(s) to use cause I can't find it anywhere!)

Question

Ultraviolet radiation and radiation of shorter wavelengths can damage biological molecules because they carry enough energy to break bonds within the molecules. A carbon-carbon bond requires 348 kJ/mol to break. What is the longest wavelength of radiation with enough energy to break carbon-carbon bonds?

(just looking for the equation(s) to use cause I can't find it anywhere!)

aaronq · Answer

apply this formula:  $E_{photon}=\dfrac{h*c}{\lambda}$

aaronq · Answer

h is plancks constant; c is the speed of light in meters/sec

aaronq · Answer

and energy should be in joules (not kJ)

anonymous · Answer

thanks!