How to remember what v is in equations

[Sara_Lim_2C]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Emmeline Phu 1G]

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]

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]

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

[AndrewNguyen_2H]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 3C]

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!

[cadytran1K]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Isabella Cortes 2H]

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]

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]

A normal v is velocity and an italicized v is frequency

[Sreeram Kurada 3H]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Arnav Saud 2C]

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.

[LarisaAssadourian2K]

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]

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]

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

[Violet Kwan 3H]

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]

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]

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

[Dane_Beasley_1E]

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]

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

[Madeline Marron 1I]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Ivan Chen 2H]

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]

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

[Constance Newell]

one v will be cursive and another will not

[Yolanda_Xing_3A]

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

[Callan Howard]

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]

Use the equation sheet!

[Teti Omilana 1G]

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]

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"