## E=hv vs E=hf

$E=hv$

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Catherine Bubser 2C
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:45 pm

### E=hv vs E=hf

Why is frequency denoted as v in the first equation? I understand that these are the same equation and was curious as to why some equations use v.

Charisma Arreola 2F
Posts: 78
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:37 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

I think it is just a matter of what is given in a test or problem.

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

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

I believe that E=hv is occasionally denoted as E=hf to avoid confusion as v can also mean velocity for other equations.

Nicole Attiq 3D
Posts: 55
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:35 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

The v is the greek letter "nu". Like the previous person said, we only use the second equation so as to not confuse velocity with frequency. However, most of the time we use the equation with the nu.

Gwendolyn Hill 2F
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm
Been upvoted: 3 times

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

I personally prefer to use f when I'm writing down problems, just because I don't want to get mixed up between the v for frequency and the V for velocity

Gian Boco 2G
Posts: 81
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:36 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

I think the distinction is based mostly on context.

Ralph Zhang 2L
Posts: 53
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:55 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

The "v" is technically not a v, it is a Greek letter. If they use f for frequency then its probably to differentiate itself based on the context.

Justin Zhang_1A
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:48 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

V stands for velocity, and the symbol for frequency is the Greek letter nu, which is like an italicized v, so sometimes f is used to avoid confusion.

Irene Nguyen 2J
Posts: 50
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:44 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

I believe it's for better visual distinction as frequency (v as in nu) and velocity (v) share the same character. There's a symbol (a fancier looking v, honestly) to distinguish between the two, but the forum won't let me use it in a post :)

Ansh Patel 2I
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

Hi! I believe it is just by preference; Using v (Greek letter, not velocity) and f is interchangable.

Jacob Schwarz-Discussion 3I
Posts: 81
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:01 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

They just don't want to confuse it with velocity so sometimes they use E=hf

Ariana Flores 3F
Posts: 48
Joined: Thu Sep 19, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

Like others have said, there is no difference!

Kiara Phillips 3L
Posts: 84
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:04 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

Use whatever one you prefer, they are interchangeable!

Brian Bui 3H
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:42 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

As others said, they are interchangeable! However v (Greek letter) for frequency has a little curve on the left while v for velocity is just straight, if that helps. Very nit-picky details!

Michelle Nguyen 3F
Posts: 87
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:03 pm

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

The difference usually depends on the context of the problem. Sometimes when v is used as velocity, f is used for frequency.

Gicelle Rubin 1E
Posts: 81
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2020 12:16 am

### Re: E=hv vs E=hf

Brian Bui 2A wrote:As others said, they are interchangeable! However v (Greek letter) for frequency has a little curve on the left while v for velocity is just straight, if that helps. Very nit-picky details!

Thanks for this! I probably would not have noticed that tiny detail.

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