Need Help Remembering An Equation

  • Thread starter Hertz
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In summary, the equation to convert frequency into energy is E = hf, which applies to photons. For massive particles, the equation is E^2 = m^2 c^4 + p^2 c^2, where E is the energy, m is the mass, c is the speed of light, f is the frequency, and p is the momentum. This concept is related to wave-particle duality and the associated wavelength of matter.
  • #1
Hertz
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8
Does anyone happen to know the equation to convert frequency into energy?
I think it's something like: E = hf, but I'm not sure.

Any help is appreciated :)
 
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  • #2
Hertz said:
E = hf

Yup. I assume you mean for EM waves?
 
  • #3
Yup, is that the right equation?
 
  • #4
Yes.
 
  • #5
So this means that mc^2 = hf right?
So does this mean that everything with mass is actually an EM wave? Sorry I don't know a whole lot, I'm still in 11th grade :\
 
  • #6
No, that's not what it means, that's why I asked if you meant for EM waves.
While yes, all matter does have an associated wavelength, but no, you can't compare the rest mass energy to the energy for an EM wave.

You should read about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave-particle_duality" if you are curious.

For photons, [tex]E=h f[/tex] where the momentum of a photon is given by,
[tex]p = {E \over c}[/tex]

Generalized to massive particles, we get
[tex]\lambda = {h \over p} [/tex]

Where [tex]\lambda[/tex] is the associated wavelength.

In general, energy is not just the rest mass energy and also includes a momentum term, so for our massive particles we have: [tex]E^2 = m^2 c^4 + p^2 c^2[/tex]
 
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