Behaviour of electron in hydrogen atom when hit by photon

In summary, when a photon with energy 11.0eV hits an electron at ground state, the electron does not get excited and the photon bounces off with 11.0eV. This is because in an atom, only specific frequencies of EM radiation are absorbed, corresponding to the energy difference between the energy levels. This results in certain frequencies missing from the observed EM spectrum, known as the absorption spectrum. This means that the photon experiences partial energy loss and gets red-shifted by 10.2eV. Therefore, the latter scenario is correct.
  • #1
serverxeon
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1. Given that the ground energy level of a hydrogen atom is -13.6eV, the 1st excited state -3.4eV. The difference is 10.2eV. Imagine a photon of energy 11.0eV hits the electron at ground state. What will be the final result?

Electron doesn't gets excited, photo bounces off with 11.0eV?
or
Electron goes to 1st excited state, and photon gets red-shifted by 10.2eV.

3. Somehow I think is the latter. There is partial energy loss by the photon, and red-shift happens.
Am I right?
 
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  • #2
hint: absorption spectrum
 
  • #3
so,

the answer is the former?

as given a spectrum of EM radiation, the atom will only absorb specific frequency which correspond to the energy difference between the energy levels.

Hence, only the specific frequencies absorbed are missing from the EM spectrum observed.

correct?
 

1. How does a photon interact with an electron in a hydrogen atom?

When a photon collides with an electron in a hydrogen atom, it can either be absorbed or scattered. If the photon has enough energy, it will be absorbed and the electron will jump to a higher energy level. If the photon does not have enough energy, it will be scattered and the electron will remain in its current energy level.

2. What happens to the electron's energy level after it absorbs a photon?

After absorbing a photon, the electron will jump to a higher energy level. This is known as an excited state. The electron can then release this energy by emitting a photon and returning to its original energy level, or it can stay in the excited state for a period of time before eventually returning to its original energy level.

3. How does the energy of the photon affect the behaviour of the electron in a hydrogen atom?

The energy of the photon determines whether the electron will be absorbed or scattered. If the photon has enough energy to match the difference between the electron's current energy level and a higher energy level, it will be absorbed and the electron will jump to that level. If the energy of the photon is not enough, it will be scattered and the electron will remain in its current energy level.

4. Can the behaviour of the electron in a hydrogen atom be described using classical mechanics?

No, the behaviour of the electron in a hydrogen atom cannot be accurately described using classical mechanics. The principles of quantum mechanics are needed to fully understand the behaviour of particles at the atomic level, such as the behaviour of electrons in a hydrogen atom when hit by a photon.

5. What happens to the electron after it releases the energy from an absorbed photon?

After releasing the energy from an absorbed photon, the electron will return to its original energy level. This process is known as emission and it results in the emission of a photon with a specific energy corresponding to the difference in energy levels between the excited state and the original state of the electron.

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