Average number of photons in a atom at a given temprature

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the misconception that individual atoms can possess temperature and contain photons. It is established that atoms do not contain photons; rather, photons can excite electrons within an atom. The temperature is defined as a statistical property applicable to a collection of atoms, not to a single atom. The inquiry about the number of photons at a wavelength of 1000 nm required to achieve a certain temperature is clarified as fundamentally flawed, as temperature pertains to a system of many atoms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of atomic structure and electron behavior
  • Knowledge of photon interactions with matter
  • Familiarity with statistical mechanics and temperature concepts
  • Basic principles of quantum mechanics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the relationship between photon energy and electron excitation levels
  • Study statistical mechanics to grasp temperature as a property of systems
  • Explore the concept of blackbody radiation and its relation to temperature
  • Learn about the absorption spectra of elements, specifically lead
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, researchers in quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the interactions between light and matter, particularly in the context of atomic behavior and temperature.

Bruce Haawkins
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Can anny body tell me how do I find the average number of photons in an atom at a given temprature for say lead.
 
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Atoms do not contain photons.Ever.
 
Atoms contain electrons and when an electron is in an excited state it is due to it having taken on an photon. I will like to know how many such photons there are at a given temprature.
 
Let me refrase my question how many photons at a wavelength of 1000 nm does it take to get a atom to a certan temprature.
 
Bruce Haawkins said:
Atoms contain electrons and when an electron is in an excited state it is due to it having taken on an photon.

It does NOT mean that atom contains photons. Absorbed photons do not exist enymore.

Bruce Haawkins said:
Let me refrase my question how many photons at a wavelength of 1000 nm does it take to get a atom to a certan temprature.

This does not make sense either, since temperature is a statistical property of a large numer of atoms, not one atom.
 
Bruce Haawkins said:
Let me refrase my question how many photons at a wavelength of 1000 nm does it take to get a atom to a certan temprature.

Individual atoms do not have a temperature, as temperature is a statistical property that only applies to systems (objects) composed of many atoms.

Bruce Haawkins said:
Atoms contain electrons and when an electron is in an excited state it is due to it having taken on an photon.

Electrons are excited when the atom absorbs a specific quantity of energy, regardless of where that energy came from. It could come from absorption of a photon, a collision with another atom, an interaction with a subatomic particle, etc.
 
Bruce Haawkins said:
Let me refrase my question how many photons at a wavelength of 1000 nm does it take to get a atom to a certan temprature.
Do you mean certain energy level? Since an atom won’t have temperature, only lots of atoms will have temperature.
 

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