Photons of light with an energy of 656 nm are being directed through a chamber o
ID: 499193 • Letter: P
Question
Photons of light with an energy of 656 nm are being directed through a chamber of hydrogen gas atoms. The gas atoms began in their ground state (ni=1).
What happens?
A.Very few photons will be absorbed since there is not quite enough energy to have all of the electrons go from ni=1 to nf=2.
B.Photons with an energy of 656 nm are quite energetic. These photons will produce many different electronic energy transitions, e.g. ni=1 to nf=2 and ni=1 to nf=3 and ni=1 to nf=4, etc.).
C.These photons of light pass through the chamber without affecting the gas.
D.All of the photons will be absorbed since they have a specific energy and electronic transitions are quantized.
A.Very few photons will be absorbed since there is not quite enough energy to have all of the electrons go from ni=1 to nf=2.
B.Photons with an energy of 656 nm are quite energetic. These photons will produce many different electronic energy transitions, e.g. ni=1 to nf=2 and ni=1 to nf=3 and ni=1 to nf=4, etc.).
C.These photons of light pass through the chamber without affecting the gas.
D.All of the photons will be absorbed since they have a specific energy and electronic transitions are quantized.
Explanation / Answer
From Rydburg's Equation , 1/ = R[(1/ni2) – (1/nf2)]
Where R = Rydburg's constant = 10.96 x106 m-1
= wavelength = ?
ni = 1
nf = ?
= wave length = 656 nm = 656x10-9 m
Plug the values we get
[(1/ni2) – (1/nf2)] = 1/(R) = 0.139
(1/nf2) = (1/12 )-0.139 = 0.861
nf2 = 1.161
nf = 1.07
A.Very few photons will be absorbed since there is not quite enough energy to have all of the electrons go from ni=1 to nf=2.