An atom emits a photon with a wavelength of as it relaxes from an excited electronic…
PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter · Dual Nature of Radiation and Matter
Problem
An atom emits a photon with a wavelength of 500nm as it relaxes from an excited electronic state to a lower state. Which of the following statements is most consistent with this observation?
(a) The atom’s internal energy decreases by the photon’s energy, and the emitted photon must have a longer wavelength than 500nm because energy and wavelength are directly proportional.
(b) The atom’s internal energy decreases by an amount equal to the photon’s energy, and the emitted photon has a frequency corresponding to 500nm light.
(c) The atom’s internal energy decreases, and the emitted photon therefore travels more slowly than c so that energy is conserved.
(d) The atom’s internal energy increases by an amount equal to the photon’s energy, even though a photon of wavelength 500nm is emitted.