Spectroscopy hookes law, derivation?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around the confusion regarding the equation for Hooke's Law in the context of spectroscopy, specifically the term involving 'c'. Participants clarify that 'c' represents the speed of light, which is derived from the definition of wavenumber as frequency divided by 'c'. The use of reduced mass is highlighted as a simplification for calculations involving two oscillating objects, as opposed to a single object. There is also a debate about the accuracy of the terminology used in the source material, particularly regarding the distinction between frequency and wavenumber. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding these concepts in the context of harmonic oscillators.
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hi, i am a lillte confused why the equation for hookes law is

1/(2pi*c)*sqrt(k/m_reduced)?

where does c come from?

http://www.massey.ac.nz/~gjrowlan/intro/lecture5.pdf

- slide 8.
Untitled-1.png


also, is there any particular reason why we use reduced mass?
 
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This is not a Hooke's law, rather a result you can get by solving the motion equation for an oscillator assuming it obeys Hooke's law (so it is a harmonic oscillator).

I don't see where the c comes from either. Using reduced mass makes calculations much easier for the system made of two oscillating objects (as compared to the system containing one object oscillating around some equilibrium position).

Moving thread to physics.
 
Borek said:
result
Ah I found it. by definition wavenumber is v/c and that gave the equation 'c'
 
They stated ν is frequency, not wavenumber.
 
Borek said:
They stated ν is frequency, not wavenumber.
yeah thanks, they did. I think they are wrong.
 

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