Energy directly proportional to frequency

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy of a gamma ray photon given its frequency and Planck's constant. The subject area is quantum physics, specifically the relationship between energy and frequency of photons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate energy using the formula Energy = hf but expresses confusion regarding the units, particularly the treatment of frequency in Hertz (Hz) and its conversion to 'vib/s'.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in clarifying the unit conversions involved in the calculation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between Hz and its implications for energy calculations, but there is no explicit consensus on the original poster's approach to unit conversion.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has altered the unit from Hz to 'vib/s', which raises questions about the appropriateness of this change. There is an underlying assumption that understanding unit consistency is crucial for solving the problem.

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VERY SIMPLE! Please help! - Energy of a gamma ray photon...

Homework Statement



The frequency of gamma radiation is 10[tex]^{22}[/tex] Hz. What is the energy of each gamma ray photon?
Planck's constant, h, is equal to 6.6 x 10[tex]^{-34}[/tex] J*s.


Homework Equations



Energy = hf

The Attempt at a Solution



I'm having a problem with the units...

Energy = (6.6 x 10[tex]^{-34}[/tex] J*s)(10[tex]^{22}[/tex] Hz)
= (6.6 x 10[tex]^{-34}[/tex] J*s)(10[tex]^{22}[/tex] vib/s)
= (6.6 x 10[tex]^{-34}[/tex] J)(10[tex]^{22}[/tex] vib)
= 6.6 x 10[tex]^{-12}[/tex] J

What happens to the 'vibration' unit?
(note: I changed the Hz to vib/s. Is that correct?)
 
Last edited:
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Hz = 1/sec

J*sec*Hz = (J*sec)/sec = J (Energy)
 
Thank you!
 
Well a vibration per second is the same as just saying [itex]s^{-1}[/itex] I guess...why? Not too sure.
 

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