# Elementary astrophysics - monochromatic flux?

1. Feb 28, 2008

### jeebs

hi, im having trouble deriving an expression for converting between monochromatic flux expressed in wavelength and in frequency units.

i think that the monochromatic flux of a star is found by

F(Δf) = ΔE / ΔtΔfΔA

F(Δλ) = ΔE / ΔtΔλΔA

where
E = energy,
t = time,
Δf = frequency bandwidth,
A = area of photon collecting surface, and
Δλ = wavelength bandwidth.

however, i'm not even sure that these equations are correct... if i'm wrong can somebody set me straight?

i was shown how to do this question by my tutor but i cant remember how to do it, it involved differentiation or integration i think...

as far as i have got with this is shortening the energy over time part into power, and rewriting either the wavelength in terms of frequency and c, or vice versa. not very impressive i know.

thanks!!

oh, and if you take the time to answer, could you please give me an explanation, as the answer itself doesn't really teach me anything, i'm more interested in how you found that answer.

Last edited: Feb 28, 2008
Binary system of stars ($\alpha$ - centauri) Mar 10, 2018