Calculating Energy of a 701nm Photon

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the energy of a photon emitted by an excited atom, specifically one with a wavelength of 701 nm. The subject area pertains to quantum mechanics and the properties of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the formula for photon energy, questioning the correctness of unit conversions and the inclusion of units in the final answer. There is also a mention of the need to express the answer in terms of energy, considering the context of emission.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on maintaining proper units and using symbolic representation in calculations. There is acknowledgment of a misunderstanding regarding the sign of the energy value, with one participant noting that the energy should be negative due to the emission process.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the need for correct unit conversions and the significance of expressing the energy value with the appropriate sign based on the context of photon emission.

leah0084
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Homework Statement



An excited atom emits a photon of red light with a wavelength of 701. nm, what is the energy of the photon?----> _________________J


Homework Equations



and for this, my application was

firstly get landa from formula of c=landa * nu

and then landa * h, which is Planck's constant which is 6.626e-34.

since my wavelength is 701 nm, it can be 701e-9 in order to change to meter format.

so my final application would be {(2.998e8m/s)/(701e-9m)} * ( 6.626e-34J*s)= 2.83e-19 (after rounding up to get significant figures which is 3 digits from 701nm)



The Attempt at a Solution



2.83e-19
 
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1. Units! 2.83e-19 even if it's correct numerically is still wrong. You *need* to always have units.

2. Stay in symbols! Write down [tex]E = \frac{hc}{\lambda}[/tex], then just substitute in the numbers, after conversion to correct units.

(Btw, it's "lambda" not "landa")
 
i did put J (unit) at the end as well and it kept telling me wrong. did i do any conversion wrong?
 
oh, i got it.
the answer needed to be negetive because the question says "emits". so answer had to be negative. i replaced the answer with -2.84e-19 and it was correct. thank you for the help. now i can go to bed.
 

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