Energy of photon emitted from Positronium transition

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the energy of a photon emitted during a transition in a Positronium atom, specifically from the n=3 state to the n=1 state. Participants are exploring the application of the Rydberg formula and the implications of using the reduced mass in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the Lyman series to find the wavelength and energy of the emitted photon but questions their calculations. Other participants discuss the necessity of using the reduced mass for Positronium in the Rydberg constant.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some providing insights into the importance of the reduced mass in the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct application of the Rydberg constant for Positronium, but no consensus has been reached on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the assumption that the nucleus is fixed in the context of the Rydberg formula, which may not hold for Positronium due to the equal masses of the electron and positron.

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Let's say I have a Positronium atom (an atom formed by an electron and a positron), and that this atom makes a transition from an n=3 state to an n=1 state. How do I find the energy of the photon that gets emitted during this transition?
I've tried to use the Lyman series to find the wavelength. This looks like the following
[tex] \frac{1}{\lambda}=R\left( \frac{1}{1^2}+\frac{1}{n^{3}} \right)[/tex]
Setting n=3 I get
[tex] \frac{1}{\lambda}=\frac{8}{9}R[/tex]
If energy is E=vh, R=1.097e7m^-1, h=4.14e-15eV*s, and c=2.998e8m/s then
[tex] E=vh=\frac{c}{\lambda}h=\frac{8}{9}Rch=12.10eV[/tex]
I am looking for the answer E=6 eV, so I am pretty sure that I am wrong. Can anyone tell me how to do this correctly?
 
Last edited:
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reduced mass correction

R, the Rydberg constant, depends on the mass of the orbiting particle. For ordinary hydrogen, where the electron orbits the massive proton, m is just the mass of the electron. But for positronium, the electron and positron have the same mass. To model the electron as orbiting the positron, you must use the reduced mass in calculating R. (The reduced mass = half of the mass of the electron.)
 
So then does [tex]R= \frac{em_e}{8\epsilon_{0}^{2}h^3c}[/tex] in all cases?
 
I suppose that by definition R equals that expression. But it assumes that the nucleus is fixed, which is a reasonable assumption for hydrogen where the nucleus is massive compared to the electron. But it won't do at all for positronium: you must use the more accurate expression that replaces the mass of the electron with the reduced mass of the electron-nucleus system.
 

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