A hypothetical monovalent atom possesses the following measured bound-state energies…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
A hypothetical monovalent atom possesses the following measured bound-state energies (relative to the continuum):
• E1 = −10.0 eV
• E2 = −5.00 eV
• E3 = −3.00 eV
• E4 = −2.00 eV
Immediately after absorbing a short laser pulse, an electron in this atom is found in the E4 state.
(a) List every distinct electronic transition that can occur as the atom relaxes all the way to the ground state, and calculate the photon energy (in eV) associated with each transition.
(b) Convert each photon energy found in part (a) into its corresponding wavelength in nanometres.
(c) For each wavelength, identify whether the photon lies in the ultraviolet (λ < 400 nm), visible (400 nm ≤ λ ≤ 700 nm), or infrared (λ > 700 nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Briefly justify your classifications.