# Determining the life time of a excited state.

1. Jul 10, 2012

### Elekko

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The smallest uncertainty in the frequency of emitted light when excited atoms return to ground state for molecules is estimated to be 8 MHz. Use this information to estimate the lifetime of the excited states.
I would like to know if I'm thinking correct.

2. Relevant equations
Well here, it is a question we can take in general by having an uncertainty of the frequency at f = MHz.
I took the hydrogen atom in which the energy levels in general can be written as

$E_n=\frac{-13.6eV}{n^2}$ where I then calculate the difference in energy for instance between state n = 1 and n = 2.

3. The attempt at a solution
Can I then apply the energy-time uncertainty principle $\Delta E \Delta t \ge \frac{\hbar}{2}$ ?

Appreciate for help.

2. Jul 10, 2012

### TSny

Recall the general relation E = hf.

3. Jul 11, 2012

### Elekko

Can this be used as the uncertainty in energy in the energy-time uncertainty principle?