Exciting an electron in a hydrogen atom.

Click For Summary
A hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot be excited by a photon with a wavelength of 96.7 nm, as the energy of the photon (12.83 eV) is less than the required 13.6 eV to excite the electron to a higher energy state. If the atom were to be excited, the wavelength of the emitted photon would be longer than that of the absorbed photon, and the energy of the emitted photon would be less than that of the absorbed photon. The calculations confirm that the photon energy must exceed 13.6 eV for excitation to occur. Therefore, the initial photon does not provide sufficient energy for electron excitation. Understanding these energy transitions is crucial in quantum mechanics and atomic physics.
weston_sagle
Messages
5
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A hydrogen atom in its ground state is illuminated with light having a wavelength of 96.7 nm. can the hydrogen atom's electron be excited to a higher energy state by absorbing one of these photons? If so, determine the state and wavelength of any photon that would be emitted by the atom.


Homework Equations


E=hc/lambda
En=-13.6eV/n^2

The Attempt at a Solution


E=hc/lambda
=[(6.626x10^-34)(3.0x10^8)/9.67x10-8]
=2.0556x10^18 J

Convert to / by 1.602x10^-19 eV = 12.83eV

En=-13.6eV/1^2 = -13.6eV

So I think that the photon energy would have to exceed 13.6eV to excite the electron, so in this case it would not excite it. Is this right?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If it did excite the electron, would the wavelength of the photon emitted be longer or shorter than the one absorbed? Would the energy of the emitted photon be greater or less than that of the absorbed photon?
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
41
Views
3K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K