## How to remember what v is in equations

$c=\lambda v$

Sara_Lim_2C
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:55 pm

### How to remember what v is in equations

Is there a good way to remember in which equations v=frequency versus when v=velocity? I keep getting them mixed up.

Faith St Amant 3D
Posts: 99
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:54 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

On our constants and equations sheet, the italicized v stands for the greek letter nu, which is the variable for frequency. The regular v stands for velocity. On that sheet specifically, c = λ v and E = hv are the only equations that use the greek letter nu (frequency). Hope this helps!

Minh-Thy Vo 3D
Posts: 109
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:06 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

For my frequency v, I just make have a little tail in the beginning instead of being a straight v. So the fancy v is for frequency and the normal v is for velocity. Hope this helps!

OwenSumter_2F
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:57 pm
Been upvoted: 2 times

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Also, in equations, velocity and frequency shouldn't be used together in the same step for what we're working on. For example, velocity should only be found working with kinetic energy of an electron or with momentum in the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, otherwise frequency will be used such as in the speed of light or energy of a photon.

Emma Ide 2E
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

regular v is velocity, and the 'fancy' v is for frequency. when I write the v for the frequency I just make it have a tail at the beginning and end to try and make it stand out

Katie Le 3K
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

On our formula sheet, if you look closely, the italicized v is frequency and the normal v is velocity.

Emmeline Phu 1G
Posts: 110
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:52 pm
Been upvoted: 2 times

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Hi! On the formula sheet, velocity is written as a normal v whereas frequency is written as an italicized v. However, it best to know which equations involve velocity or frequency for a better understanding of the material. For example, KE involves velocity, not frequency and the Bohr frequency condition involves frequency, not velocity. Hope this helps! :)

Ava Nickman
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:54 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Yes, the font is different depending on if it stands for frequency or velocity. But also understanding what each equation means will help. Ex. Typically if wavelength is involved, they are referring to v as frequency. versus if mass is involved they are probably using velocity.

Megan ODonnell 3F
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

v with italics is frequency whereas v non-italics is speed.

AndrewNguyen_2H
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:59 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

A 100% sure-fire way to ensure that you aren't mixing the units up is by actually canceling out the units and making sure that both sides of the equation are equal. Velocity is m/s while frequency is only /s. Another way to intuitively gauge it is, when the particle in question has a mass it's usually velocity.

SophiaJenny3I
Posts: 133
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:56 pm
Been upvoted: 2 times

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Hi! First, what everyone said about the different font is a great way to check! In case you want to double check, I always cancel out my units to make sure. If the units of velocity or frequency don't match the other variables or constants in the equation, you know you have the wrong one!

Colin Squire 3B
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The v in the equation E=hv is actually the Greek letter nu. In the equation sheet it seems like it is slightly italicized so that might be one thing to look out for. For velocity, it is just the regular letter v.

AmyHo2K
Posts: 89
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

For my notes I write cursive v for frequency and normal v for velocity. The equation sheet does a similar thing where v for frequency is italicized.

Brenda Silva 1B
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:41 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

In most cases, the v that is italicized would be the frequency and the normal v would be velocity but it is best to look at the units being used.

David Facio 1K
Posts: 41
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:38 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

My TA recommended since Week 1 that we differentiate our variables with specific font. You may choose to exaggerate your "v" for frequency by writing it in cursive or even write it like the zodiac symbol for aries. Whatever helps you visually remind yourself NOT to mix it up with the regular font "v" for velocity. Hope this helps!

Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:49 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

When I refer to velocity, I know that it is the standard, "v" but when I'm doing an equation that involves frequency, I know that the font for "v" is different.

YUNALEE
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

if it is talking about physics like kinetic energy and has variables like mass, you know that it's velocity. If it gives you factors like wavelength, it's frequency.

Brianna Chen 3F
Posts: 92
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:11 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

In most cases, velocity deals with a matter that has mass (electrons, neutrons, etc.) whereas frequency deals with wave-like properties, typically found in light. In addition, it is important to keep in mind the conceptual idea behind each equation which will help you understand which equations contain velocity versus frequency.

Sukhkiran Kaur 3I
Posts: 89
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:03 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

I was confused by this too, but a regular v usually means velocity while an italicized v means frequency.

Isabella Cortes 2H
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:37 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Hi! On our equation sheets "v" for frequency is italicized and "v" for velocity is not. One way that helps me remember is to look at the context of the problem, for example if you are dealing with kinectic energy or momentum, then "v" will be velocity. I hope this helps!!

Tatyana Bonnet 2H
Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

E=hv and[ C=lamba x v ]is relating to energy and wave properties of light, so v in the different font would be frequency. In de Brogiles equation and kinetic energy equation they deal with speed/motion of particles in some way so v would symbolize velocity.

Ryan_Page_1J
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:03 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

A normal v is velocity and an italicized v is frequency

Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:00 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Depending on the equation I am using, I would try to make sense of how that equation was derived. This then would clarify whether v is frequency or velocity. For example, de Broglie's equation is based on the momentum of the electron so I would think of that v as velocity, while in the speed of light equation and the energy equation I would think of waves of light where the v is frequency. But like others were saying on this post the italicized v is typically frequency and the regular v is typically velocity.

Reese_Gover2K
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The best way is to look at how they are written velocity is a regular v and for frequency it is a swoopy kinda cursive like v which is the greek letter nu.

Armen_Isayan_2L
Posts: 96
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:09 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Use a regular v for velocity. As for the frequency v, I just add a small tail in the beginning and that should help you differentiate between your frequency and velocity v's.

DPatel_2L
Posts: 70
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:41 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

On the formula sheet, the italicized one is the frequency.

Arnav Saud 2C
Posts: 111
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

On the formula sheet, the frequency notation is italicized while velocity is not. When doing your calculations, make sure you correctly write an italicized v when using frequency and a normal v when doing velocity so as to avoid confusion.

Posts: 58
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:34 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

On the formula sheet, E=hv and c=λv are the only formulas that have the curved v (otherwise known as nu) in them. If you look closely, every other v looks normal, indicating that they symbolize velocity.

Ava_Basileo_2J
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

I try to remember that the "v" that represents frequency is not actually a v. It is really the Greek letter nu. As such, I draw it differently than a regular "v" by making it more slanted and curly.

Pranav Daggubati 3C
Posts: 106
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Frequency is denoted by nu, which looks like $\nu$, whereas velocity is denoted by the English alphabet 'v'

Violet Kwan 3H
Posts: 112
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:55 pm
Been upvoted: 1 time

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

When I am writing equations or using a variable with frequency and velocity, I try to put a mark/tail in front of v for frequency. On the formula sheet, the italicized one is for frequency, and the normal v is for velocity. Also, it would probably be helpful to go over the formula sheet and try to memorize which one is needed for each formula, so you don't need to decipher each time.

simona_krasnegor_1C
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

In my head, I just think that the "fancy" v is for frequency because they both start with an f. Hope this helps!

LovepreetSran_3H
Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:33 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The italicized v is for frequency, whereas the normal v is for velocity.

Dane_Beasley_1E
Posts: 68
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The italicized v is actually the Greek letter nu and is used for frequency. When working with velocity it is just a regular v.

Jack Kettering 3D
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

It is very confusing I agree but if you look closely on the lecture slides as well as the formula sheet we are given the v for frequency is actually italicized and represents a Greek letter whereas the normal English v refers to velocity

Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:01 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

When i write them down I deliberately make v=frequency as like a cursive looking one and the velocity in my own handwriting. The best way to know is on the equation sheet is just to remember which equation uses which. Most of the time it will be for frequency, unless you're calculating momentum.

305572629
Posts: 86
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:41 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Tip: if something says Hertz or cycles per second, it is talking about frequency. Velocity is also a regular lowercase v and frequency is a cursive-looking v in equations.

Jenaye Brelland 2I
Posts: 95
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

I slightly curve or round my v for frequency and maintain the v shape for velocity. Sometimes it can still be confusing so others add a hook on the end of frequency.

Nick P 3D
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

the v for frequency should always be italicized while v for velocity is not

Ivan Chen 2H
Posts: 88
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

velocity is a lowercase v, while frequency is curved. I think it helps that in most of the equations so far, v (for velocity) deals with the movement of electrons, and v (for frequency) deals with light

Algernon Jackson 2l
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2020 7:27 am

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The v for frequency is italicized, that's how I remember it.

Constance Newell
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:38 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

one v will be cursive and another will not

Yolanda_Xing_3A
Posts: 43
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:52 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

The italicized v is the frequency while non italicized is velocity.

Callan Howard
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:00 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

one thing that helps me is that if I notice a v with an m (ex: abc + mv) the v is for velocity and is not a greek letter nu for frequency

lauren_tran_1L
Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:31 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Use the equation sheet!

Teti Omilana 1G
Posts: 82
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:05 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Like everyone has been saying, the v for frequency is written in cursive and for velocity it is not. If you forget that you can always look at your units: frequency (hz), velocity (m/s).

Anastasia Yulo 1C
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:47 pm

### Re: How to remember what v is in equations

Typically nu denotes frequency, which looks like an italicized v. A diligent way to confirm whether or not it is velocity or frequency is to check the units! Velocity is in m/s whereas frequency is in Hz. Typically the speed of light is denoted with "c"