Yes, the equation E = hf, where E represents energy, h represents Planck's constant, and f represents frequency, applies to particles besides photons as well. This equation is a fundamental relation in quantum mechanics known as the energy-frequency relation.
In the case of photons, which are massless particles of light, the equation relates the energy of a photon to its frequency. However, in quantum mechanics, particles can exhibit wave-particle duality, meaning they can exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties. This includes electrons and other particles with mass.
According to the de Broglie wavelength, proposed by Louis de Broglie, particles such as electrons also possess wave-like characteristics. The de Broglie wavelength (λ) is related to the momentum (p) of a particle by the equation λ = h / p, where h is Planck's constant.
Using the wave-particle duality concept, we can relate the energy of a particle to its frequency using the equation E = hf, where E represents the particle's energy and f represents its frequency. This equation holds true for particles such as electrons, as long as their wave-like properties are taken into account. The frequency in this context refers to the frequency associated with the particle's wave-like behavior.
It's important to note that the energy of a particle is not solely determined by its frequency, but also by its momentum and mass. The full energy equation for a particle in relativistic quantum mechanics is given by E^2 = (mc^2)^2 + (pc)^2, where m is the particle's rest mass, c is the speed of light, and p is its momentum. However, in certain situations, where the mass can be neglected or is small compared to the momentum, the equation E = hf can be used to describe the energy of particles.