# Fundimental frequency of subatomic particles.

1. May 1, 2007

### Jdo300

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what the frequency of a proton, neutron, and electron are at their lowest possible energy level? I'm guessing this is a loaded question but any assistance would be appreciated. If a specific material is required to figure this out, I'm wondering what it is for copper?

Thanks,
Jason O

2. May 1, 2007

### plxmny

It's not a loaded question at all!

$E = h \nu = m\sub_0 c^2$

Last edited: May 1, 2007
3. May 1, 2007

### Jdo300

Thanks plxmny,

So how do I get the frequency using those equations? (I'm probably missing something obvious here). I see that I can get the energy, velocity or mass so far given what you've shown me.

Thanks,
Jason O

Last edited: May 1, 2007
4. May 1, 2007

### plxmny

No - $$\nu$$ is frequency. You said the object was at rest so there is no velocity.

5. May 1, 2007

### Jdo300

Ohhhh ok. Sorry, got confused by the V.

6. May 1, 2007

### ZapperZ

Staff Emeritus
But are you sure that this is what you are after? Just because there is a mathematical relations between something, doesn't mean that such properties exist simultaneously.

If I take a mass m, and it gets converted directly into EM radiation by some process, then that EM radiation will have a frequency given in that relation. However, to say that this is the "frequency" of that mass is as erroneous as saying that all matter is nothing more than EM radiation (there's at least one very long thread on why this is wrong someone in here). I tend to think that the frequency of something is the rate that that something is oscillating. Yet, this is not what is implied in that equation, but rather the EM energy content after a "conversion".

Zz.

7. May 1, 2007

### Jdo300

Hi, I'm thinking about the electron as having wavelike properties they are described with wave equations in the quantum world. So I was thinking that if the electron has wavelike properties (it is not a discrete ball of ‘stuff’ in space), that it should have a fundamental frequency, especially since the electron can only take on discrete energy levels which makes me think of harmonics of some fundimental...

I also am reminded that electrons can be created from high frequency radiation which seems to imply to me that they vibrate to maintain their form.

Perhaps I am looking at this from the wrong perspective.