Question

The human eye contains a molecule called 11-cis-retinal that changes shape when struck with light of sufficient energy. The change in shape triggers a series of events that results in an electrical signal being sent to the brain that results in vision. The minimum energy required to change the conformation of 11-cis-retinal within the eye is about 164 kJ/mol.
Calculate the longest wavelength visible to the human eye.

Answer 1

Answer:

1.21 × 10⁻³⁰ m

Explanation:

1 mol of photons causing the change in the conformation of 11-retinal has an energy of 164 kJ. We can find out the wavelength (λ) associated with this energy (E) using the Planck-Einstein equation.

E = h . c . λ⁻¹

where,

h is the Planck's constant

c is the speed of light

λ = h . c . E⁻¹ = (6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J × s) × (3.00 × 10⁸ m/s) × (164 × 10³ J)⁻¹ = 1.21 × 10⁻³⁰ m