Electrons bombard gaseous hydrogen - photon energies emitted?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the photon energies emitted when a beam of 13.0 eV electrons bombards gaseous hydrogen in its ground state. The energy level transitions calculated using the formula ΔE = -13.6 (1/nf2 - 1/ni2) indicate that transitions can occur from n=4 to n=3 (0.66 eV), n=4 to n=2 (2.55 eV), n=4 to n=1 (12.75 eV), n=3 to n=2 (1.89 eV), n=3 to n=1 (12.09 eV), and n=2 to n=1 (10.2 eV). The maximum energy state reached is n=4, as 13 eV is sufficient to excite electrons to this level but not to n=5. All relevant photon energies must be listed for completeness.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics and energy level transitions.
  • Familiarity with the hydrogen atom and its energy levels.
  • Knowledge of the formula for energy transitions in hydrogen: ΔE = -13.6 (1/nf2 - 1/ni2).
  • Basic skills in interpreting and presenting scientific data, such as level diagrams or tables.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the energy levels of hydrogen and their corresponding photon emissions.
  • Learn how to construct and interpret level diagrams for atomic transitions.
  • Study the implications of electron bombardment in gaseous states and its applications in spectroscopy.
  • Explore the concept of ionization energy and its relation to electron transitions in hydrogen.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying quantum mechanics, physicists interested in atomic transitions, and educators teaching concepts related to photon emission and energy levels in hydrogen.

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Homework Statement



A beam of 13.0 eV electrons is used to bombard gaseous hydrogen in ground state.
What photon energies will be emitted?

Homework Equations



ΔE = -13.6 (\frac{1}{n^{2}_{f}} - \frac{1}{n^{2}_{i}})

However hydrogen is in the ground state therefore n_i= 1:

ΔE = -13.6 (\frac{1}{n^{2}_{f}} - 1)

The Attempt at a Solution



Rearranging the above equation I got n_f = 4.76.

Am I correct in saying "the photon can be emitted from a maximum energy state of n=4"?
I'm unsure how to word it.

WRT the initial question, it asks what photon energies will be emitted so would I have to write them all down?

ie

4\rightarrow3 = 0.66 ev
4\rightarrow2 = 2.55 ev
4\rightarrow1 = 12.75 ev

3\rightarrow2 = 1.89 ev
3\rightarrow1 = 12.09 ev

2\rightarrow1 = 10.2 ev
 
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I'm unsure how to word it.

13 eV is enough to reach the n=3 level which has an energy of 12.09 eV above ground state.
13 eV is enough to reach the n=4 level which has an energy of 12.75 eV above ground state.
13 eV is not enough to reach the n=5 level which has an energy of 13.056 eV above ground state.

it asks what photon energies will be emitted so would I have to write them all down?

Yes.
As you saw, there are not so many lines.
You might present them in a level diagram, or in a table, if you like to present things ...
 
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Thanks maajdl
 

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