Find the frequency and wavelength of a 100 MeV gamma ray photon

AI Thread Summary
To find the frequency and wavelength of a 100 MeV gamma ray photon, the energy must first be converted to joules, resulting in 1.602 x 10^-11 J. The frequency can be calculated using the equation E = hf, where h is Planck's constant (6.6 x 10^-34 Js), yielding a frequency of approximately 2.47 x 10^22 Hz. The wavelength is then determined using the speed of light (3.0 x 10^8 m/s) and the frequency, resulting in a wavelength of about 1.215 x 10^-14 m. It is important to ensure all units are consistent throughout the calculations. This discussion emphasizes the relationship between energy, frequency, and wavelength in electromagnetic waves.
BeckyG
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Homework Statement



Find the frequency and wavelength of a 100 MeV gamma ray photon

Homework Equations




100 MeV=1.602 X 10^-11

The Attempt at a Solution



I do not know how to do this. I am in a class for elementary teachers and we have to solve this problem.
 
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Do you have any equations that relate wavelength to frequency?
 
I do not know any.
 
Well you should certainly have an equation for relating wavelength and frequency, the less obvious thing is relating the energy of a photon to the frequency/wavelength

You should also have an equation for that, it involves Planck's constant, h
 
Wave length equals frequency times 340 meters per second...
 
Wave length equals frequency times 340 meters per second...

Unfortunately that's the specific equation for sound waves, pretty much at sea level. The topic creator is dealing with electromagnetic waves
 
The equation for frequency and wavelength is simply speed = wavelength * frequency
A gamma ray photon is a kind of light so you need the speed of light.

There is also an equation relating it energy, energy = h * frequency
where 'h' is a constant = 6.6 x 10 ^-34 Js

Remember that all you values must be in the same units ( metres, seconds, Joules) for these constant to work
 
We're doing this in my A-level at school.

First find the frequency using, Energy (J)=Planck Constant (Js) X Frequency (Hz)
Or, E=hf.
The Planck Constant is (6.6 x 10^-34).
---------------------------------------------------
So:
(1.602 X 10^-11)J = (6.6 x 10^-34)Js X f

Or

(1.602 X 10^-11)J / (6.6 x 10^-34)Js = f

So the frequency is (2.47 X 10^22)Hz.
----------------------------------------------------
Speed (ms) = Frequency (Hz) X Wavelength (m)

So:

Speed of light-> (3.0 X 10^8)ms / (2.47 X 10^22)Hz = Wavelength (m)

=(1.215 X 10^-14)
 
Welcome to PF, Dumbfish1.

FYI, we don't simply post solutions here when people ask for homework help. We give hints, and require that the asker make some attempt toward solving the problem first.

Since this question is from more than a year ago, I guess there was no harm done. You might want to familiarize yourself with the forum rules; simply scroll down to the section "Homework Help" here:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374
 

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