The table below lists the measured energy differences between two electronic states…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation
Problem
The table below lists the measured energy differences between two electronic states in three different gas-phase atoms. Each transition releases a single photon when the atom relaxes from the excited state to the lower state.
Atom
Energy difference (J)
X
2.10×10−19
Y
4.75×10−19
Z
3.30×10−19
Assume the photons are emitted into vacuum.
Use the following constants as needed:
• speed of light in vacuum: 3.00×108ms−1
• Planck constant: 6.626×10−34Js
(a) For atom X, calculate the wavelength of the emitted photon in nanometres.
(b) Determine the frequency of the photon emitted by atom Y.
(c) Rank the photons emitted by atoms X, Y, and Z from lowest to highest energy per photon and justify your ranking.
(d) An experimentalist wants to detect these photons using a photodiode that responds only to wavelengths shorter than 500 nm. Identify which of the three atomic emissions will be detected and support your answer with appropriate calculations and reasoning.