How does the concept of quantization apply to the vibrational energies of atoms?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of quantization in relation to the vibrational energies of atoms. It establishes that atomic energy levels are quantized, meaning they can only exist at specific, discrete values. When an atom transitions between these energy levels, such as from 3hv to 2hv, it emits energy in the form of light, specifically a photon of energy hv. The confusion arises from the apparent contradiction between the limited energy values and the ability of atoms to change energy levels, which is clarified by understanding that energy changes occur in fixed, quantized amounts rather than continuously.

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  • Knowledge of atomic structure and energy levels
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Miike012
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I am not understanding this def from the following paragraphs...

The book says...
The vibrational energies of an atom are said to be quantized, that is the possible ernergies are limited to certain values...

If a vibrating atom changed energy, say from 3hv to 2hv (from the equation E = hnv), it would decrease in energy by hv and this energy would be emitted as light energy...

Ok this is what I am not understanding... the first paragraph said that an atoms energy is limited to certain values...
the second paragraph said that an atom can change energy levels...

So how can an atom with " limited" energy values change energy levels...?

This is what I am thinking the first paragraph is saying... if an atom has a certain energy of n then this atom can not have energy less than or greater than its given n value... what am I not understanding?
 
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They just mean that that particular amount of energy is lost by the smallest non-divisible number/factor.

If you thought of an atom as a function, and input a photon, you would not get out 1/2 a photon when that energy is released. Also, you can not fire a 1/2 photon into it. The photon is "quantized". Rather than using a continuous set of values, they use discrete sets.

A good example is:
[PLAIN]http://musikality.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/quantised_waveform.png

The red wave is continuous, and the blue is quantized.
 
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