Collision frequency unit conversion

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the unit of collision frequency, specifically whether it is equivalent to hertz. Participants explore the relationship between collision frequency, expressed as collisions per second, and the unit of hertz.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that collision frequency, measured in collisions per second, is the same as hertz.
  • Others elaborate that while "collision" may not be a physical quantity with a unit, frequency (Hertz) is derived from events per second.
  • A participant points out that although collision frequency and hertz share the same dimensions, they are not necessarily the same unit, citing the becquerel as an example of a unit with the same dimensions but different naming.
  • Another participant reiterates that becquerel and hertz are different units, despite having the same dimensionality.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus among participants regarding whether collision frequency is equivalent to hertz, with multiple competing views presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the distinction between dimensions and units, but the discussion does not resolve the implications of this distinction for collision frequency.

s_hy
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hi all

I have a question about unit for collision frequency. The unit is collision per second and is it same with hertz?

Thanks
 
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Yes.
 
To elaborate: a "collision" is not a physical quantity, so it doesn't have a unit. Which leaves you with frequency (Hertz), which is actually a kind of artificial unit (derived), since it is any event per second.
 
s_hy said:
hi all

I have a question about unit for collision frequency. The unit is collision per second and is it same with hertz?

Thanks
They have the same dimensions but aren't necessarily the same unit. For example the becquerel .the unit of radioactive decays (1Bq is one decay per second), has the same dimensions as the hertz(1Hz is one cycle per second), but is not the same unit.
 
Vagn said:
They have the same dimensions but aren't necessarily the same unit. For example the becquerel (the unit of radioactive decays) (1Bq is one decay per second) has the same dimensions as the hertz(1Hz is one ycle per second), but is not the same unit.

Yes, sorry, Bq and Hz are different units, same dimension (different name for the same concept).
 

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