Atom Emitting Photon: Energy Conservation

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter 71GA
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Core Electron Photon
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of energy conservation principles in the context of an atom emitting a photon during an electron energy transition. The equations presented illustrate the relationship between the initial and final energy states of the hydrogen atom, incorporating the emitted photon energy (Eγ) and the conservation of momentum. The participant confirms that the initial atom can be considered at rest, allowing for the simplification of the energy equations without the need for additional momentum terms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and atomic structure
  • Familiarity with energy conservation laws in physics
  • Knowledge of photon emission processes and their implications
  • Basic proficiency in algebra and manipulation of equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of quantum mechanics related to atomic transitions
  • Explore the concept of photon energy and its calculation using E=hf
  • Learn about momentum conservation in particle physics
  • Investigate the implications of energy conservation in different reference frames
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, particularly those studying quantum mechanics, as well as educators and researchers interested in atomic behavior and energy conservation principles.

71GA
Messages
208
Reaction score
0
I have come across a problem which is a homework indeed, but i tried to pack this question up so that it is more theoretical.

What i want to know is if i am alowed to write energy conservation for an atom which emitts a photon (when his electron changes energy for a value ##\Delta E##) like this (The atom is kicked back when it emmits an photon):

\begin{align}
E_1 &= E_2\\
E_{ \text{H atom 1}} &= E_{ \text{H atom 2} } + E_\gamma\\
\sqrt{ \!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\smash{\underbrace{(E_0 + \Delta E)^2}_{\substack{\text{I am not sure about}\\\text{this part where normaly}\\\text{we write only ${E_0}^2$. Should I}\\\text{put $\Delta E$ somewhere else?}}}}\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\!\! + {p_1}^2c^2} &= \sqrt{ {E_0}^2 + {p_2}^2c^2 } + E_\gamma \longleftarrow \substack{\text{momentum $p_1=0$ and because of}\\\text{the momentum conservation}\\\text{$p_2 = p_\gamma = E_\gamma/c$}}\\
\phantom{1}\\
\phantom{1}\\
\phantom{1}\\
\sqrt{{(E_0 + \Delta E)}^2} &= \sqrt{{E_0}^2 + {E_\gamma}^2} + E_\gamma
\end{align}
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
##p_2 c = E_\gamma## requires that the initial atom is at rest in your coordinate system, so you can keep E_1 at the left side (and I think I would not use E_0 at all, as it can be confusing), you don't need that p1 at all.
That is possible, indeed.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
609
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K