- #1
keepit
- 94
- 0
is the wavelength equal to the distance between the excited state shell and the rest state shell?
What is the relationship between wavelength and excited shells in atoms?
- Thread starter keepit
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Excited Wavelength
In summary, the wavelength is not equal to the distance between the excited state shell and the rest state shell in atoms. The larger the spacing between the shells, the shorter the wavelength due to the frequency being proportional to the energy change in the atom.
- #2
DrClaude
Mentor
- 8,398
- 5,492
No.keepit said:
Could you please give more context. Are you talking about atoms?
- #3
sophiecentaur
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 29,019
- 6,923
keepit said:
In fact, that statement is totally the wrong way round
. The bigger the spacing between the shells (not a good way of looking at it, really because it's the energy difference that counts, rather than the hand-waving idea of spacing) the shorter the wavelength. This is because the frequency associated with the emitted is proportional to the energy change in the atom.- #4
keepit
- 94
- 0
yes, i was talking about atoms but i guess the answer is no.
- #5
pmacias
- 1,255
- 0
No, the wavelength refers to the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs in a wave. The excited state shell and the rest state shell are different energy levels of an atom, and the distance between them is not related to the wavelength. The wavelength of an atom's emitted light is determined by the energy difference between the two states, but it is not equal to the distance between the two shells.
Related to What is the relationship between wavelength and excited shells in atoms?
1. What is the relationship between wavelength and excited shells?
The wavelength of a photon is directly related to the energy difference between the ground state and the excited state of an electron in an atom. As the energy difference increases, the wavelength of the emitted or absorbed photon decreases. This relationship is described by the equation E = hc/λ, where E is the energy difference, h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength.
2. How do excited shells form?
Excited shells form when an electron in an atom absorbs energy, either from a photon or from an external source, causing it to move to a higher energy level. This creates an excited state, or an energy level that is not the lowest possible for that electron. The electron will eventually return to its ground state, releasing the absorbed energy in the form of a photon with a specific wavelength.
3. What is the significance of excited shells in atomic structure?
Excited shells play a crucial role in determining the chemical and physical properties of an atom. The number and arrangement of excited shells determine the atom's electron configuration, which in turn affects its reactivity, bonding, and overall behavior in chemical reactions. Excited shells also play a role in the emission and absorption of light, making them important in fields such as spectroscopy and astronomy.
4. How do electrons transition between excited shells?
Electrons transition between excited shells by either absorbing or emitting energy in the form of photons. When an electron absorbs energy, it moves to a higher energy level, creating an excited state. This state is unstable, and the electron will eventually return to its ground state, releasing the absorbed energy in the form of a photon. The opposite process occurs when an electron emits a photon and moves from an excited state to the ground state.
5. Can excited shells be observed directly?
No, excited shells cannot be observed directly as they are not physical structures. They are simply energy levels that electrons can occupy in an atom. However, their presence and behavior can be inferred through the observation of emission or absorption spectra, which show the specific wavelengths of light emitted or absorbed by an atom in its excited state.
Similar threads
-
Other Physics Topics
-
Other Physics Topics
-
Quantum Physics
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
-
High Energy, Nuclear, Particle Physics
-
Quantum Physics
-
Other Physics Topics
-
Other Physics Topics
-
Atomic and Condensed Matter
-
Quantum Physics