How to Convert Diffusion Rate to Hertz?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the possibility of converting molecular diffusion rates into a frequency measured in hertz. Participants explore the relationship between diffusion time and frequency, questioning the validity and utility of such a conversion.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express confusion about the original question, suggesting it lacks clarity and specificity.
  • One participant notes that hertz (Hz) is equivalent to reciprocal seconds (1/s) but questions the existence of a diffusion quantity with that dimension.
  • A participant references Fick's law and provides a formula for diffusion time, suggesting that if time can be computed in seconds, it might be possible to convert this to a hertzian frequency.
  • Another participant describes diffusion rate as a measure of the growth of a diffusing substance, questioning the usefulness of relating it to frequency.
  • Some participants argue that while a time period can be converted to frequency, this conversion may not be meaningful or useful in the context of diffusion.
  • A later reply emphasizes that using hertz in this context does not make sense, as diffusion does not represent a cyclic phenomenon.
  • One participant mentions the existence of different units for periodic processes, like hertz for cycles and becquerel for radioactive decay, highlighting the complexity of unit usage in physics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility and meaningfulness of converting diffusion rates to hertz. There is no consensus on whether such a conversion is valid or useful.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the application of hertz to diffusion, pointing out that diffusion does not inherently involve a repeating process. The discussion highlights the complexity and potential misapplication of units in physics.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring the intersections of diffusion processes and frequency, as well as individuals examining the use of units in scientific contexts.

amy1vaulhausen
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TL;DR
Does anyone know hot to do this ; How to Convert Diffusion Rate to Hertz?
How to Convert Diffusion Rate to Hertz - Hi, new here. Does anyone know if it is possible to convert the molecular diffusion rate

to a frequency in hertz?
 
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I have no idea what you are trying to do. Please be specific.
 
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amy1vaulhausen said:
How to Convert Diffusion Rate to Hertz - Hi, new here. Does anyone know if it is possible to convert the molecular diffusion rate
Like @hutchphd, I don't understand the question. Sounds like you are trying to convert bananas to bicycles.
 
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Hertz (Hz) is the same as reciprocal seconds (1/s). I can't think of a diffusion quantity with that dimension. Did a bit of searching, and as I suspected the unit for such a quantity is better described as amount per area times seconds.

For details, see Fick's law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fick's_laws_of_diffusion
 
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Thanks Mayhem, the reason behind my question is based on the diffusion rate in time.
Formula ; t=x^2/2D
see reference ; https://www.physiologyweb.com/calculators/diffusion_time_calculator.html
Since a solute will take a range of time to diffuse for a spacial unit with known viscosity and related parameters
and since that time range can be computed in seconds, then if light seconds are used as a distance value and we convert the distance to a value in hertz, wouldnt we end up with a means to covert rate to a hertzian frequency? Am just wondering if there is a standard way to approach this? A formula to use?
 
I like to think of the diffusion rate as a measure of the growth of the blob of diffusing stuff. By some measure the surface area of the blob grows linearly with time. I don't know how any particular frequency is useful.
 
A cycle of time can be converted to a frequency in hertz. If we know the amount of time in seconds it takes a solute to diffuse in a specific unit of space with know characteristics then there must be a way to convert this time period to a hertzian value or at least a range of frequency values?
 
amy1vaulhausen said:
A cycle of time can be converted to a frequency in hertz.
Really? It took me 20 secons to read your post. What frequency is that?
amy1vaulhausen said:
If we know the amount of time in seconds it takes a solute to diffuse in a specific unit of space with know characteristics then there must be a way to convert this time period to a hertzian value or at least a range of frequency values?
You're still trying to convert bananas to bicycles. Plus, as @hutchphd said, even if your could square this circle,
hutchphd said:
I don't know how any particular frequency is useful.
 
phinds said:
Really? It took me 20 seconds to read your post. What frequency is that?
1/20th Hz, of course. I'll rephrase the objection: @amy1vaulhausen you can convert any repeating time period into a frequency by inverting it, but that doesn't make it useful/meaningful. What's the real goal here? What do you think this tells you?
 
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amy1vaulhausen said:
Thanks Mayhem, the reason behind my question is based on the diffusion rate in time.
Formula ; t=x^2/2D
see reference ; https://www.physiologyweb.com/calculators/diffusion_time_calculator.html
Since a solute will take a range of time to diffuse for a spacial unit with known viscosity and related parameters
and since that time range can be computed in seconds, then if light seconds are used as a distance value and we convert the distance to a value in hertz, wouldnt we end up with a means to covert rate to a hertzian frequency? Am just wondering if there is a standard way to approach this? A formula to use?

There is no standard way to approach this because it's not a standard approach at all. It doesn't even make sense to use hertz in this manner as you don't have a repeating process or some cyclic phenomenon. Just because something is a rate doesn't make it cyclic or applicable to use hertz. Acceleration is a rate, as it has units of m/s/s, but you would never use hertz as a unit for acceleration. The same is true for velocity, which has units of m/s. An object moving at 10 m/s does not have a frequency of 10 Hz. It doesn't have a frequency at all.
 
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  • #11
So we have Hertz for periodic processes, Becquerel for radioactive decay, although lifetime can be formulated as imaginary part of frequency.
One of the last realms of physics where the babylonian-anglosaxonian unit mess persists.
 

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