What Frequency Photon Ionizes an Atom from n=2 State?

  • Thread starter Thread starter sskk221
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Atom Ionization
AI Thread Summary
To ionize an atom from the n=2 state, a photon with sufficient energy must be emitted. The energy required for ionization is identified as 4 eV, which is converted to Joules for calculation. The formula E = hf is applied, but the initial frequency calculation of 9.65e14 Hz is incorrect. Participants discuss the importance of understanding ionization energy and ensure proper unit conversion from eV to Joules. Clarifying the ionization process and energy levels is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
sskk221
Messages
10
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



The following diagram represents the allowed electronic energy levels of a hypothetical atom. What frequency photon would be required to ionize this atom if it were already in the n = 2 state?

[PLAIN]http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/667/picture2vt.png


Homework Equations



E = hf

The Attempt at a Solution



Ionizing the atom would require emission of a photon. From the picure, E = 4eV for an emission of a photon:

4eV = hf
f= 9.65e14 Hz but this is not the answer. Any suggestions??
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
You used the correct formula. Did you change eV to J? That is the only way I could see you getting it wrong.
 
yeah I did 4eV*1.6e-19 to convert it to Joules. Then I divided by Planck's constant to get the frequency. This problem seems so easy, but I'm missing something... :\
 
What does ionization mean? What is the energy of the electron when the atom is ionized?

ehild
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Do you graph the energy levels of a ##1s^1## atom the same as a ##1s^2## atom?
Replies
12
Views
865
Bohr Model - Absorbing a Photon with Enough Energy to Ionize the Atom
Replies
4
Views
2K
Ionization Energy of Helium Atom | 24.6 eV
Replies
4
Views
2K
Calculate the wavelength when electron transits.
Replies
2
Views
1K
Kinetic energy of recoil atom in the photoelectric effect
Replies
1
Views
3K
What are the frequency and speed of a photon after scattering
Replies
1
Views
1K
What is the Frequency of Emitted Radiation from a Moving Hydrogen Atom?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Chemistry Creating KF Molecule from Neutral Atoms: A Process of Ionization and Binding
Replies
2
Views
3K
Ionization Energy of Lithium problem
Replies
4
Views
7K
Conservation of momentum of a photon
Replies
9
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top