Is light being emitted or absorbed?

  • Thread starter Thread starter J-Girl
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Light
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Light is emitted when an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, resulting in a release of energy, typically in the form of photons. Conversely, light is absorbed when an electron moves from a lower energy level to a higher energy level, requiring energy input. In the discussed transitions, levels 1.1 to 2 and 2.3 to 4 indicate absorption, while transitions from 3.5 to 1 and 4.4 to 1 indicate emission. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing energy transitions in quantum mechanics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of quantum mechanics
  • Familiarity with energy levels in atomic structures
  • Knowledge of photon emission and absorption processes
  • Ability to calculate energy and wavelength of transitions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of quantum mechanics related to electron transitions
  • Learn about the relationship between energy levels and photon wavelengths
  • Explore the concept of ground state and excited state in atoms
  • Investigate the mathematical calculations for energy and wavelength in atomic transitions
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the behavior of light and atomic energy transitions.

J-Girl
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
is light being emitted or absorbed??

How do I know if light is being absorbed or emitted? I had to find the energy and wavelength of the following transitions, for the first two i ended up with positive numbers, for the last two I ended up with positive numbers
1.1-->2
2.3--4
3.5-->1
4.4-->1
 
Physics news on Phys.org


J-Girl said:
How do I know if light is being absorbed or emitted? I had to find the energy and wavelength of the following transitions, for the first two i ended up with positive numbers, for the last two I ended up with positive numbers
1.1-->2
2.3--4
3.5-->1
4.4-->1

Level 1 usually refers to ground state, so energy is absorbed going to a higher number, and emitted when changing to a lower number level.
 


thankyou:) my textbook didnt tell me that unfortunately
 

Similar threads

What does it mean that when light is reflected the "wavelengths of each contributing hue are subtracted"?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
Is the Photoelectric Effect Proof That Light Is a Particle?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K
Hydrogen Emission Spectrum and Electron Energy Levels
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Calculate Height of Light Pole from Shadow Length
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad Simple thought experiment with Stefan-Boltzmann law: energy
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Finding efficiency of an engine (with attempt)
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Focussing a collimated beam using a diffraction grating
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
923
Number of Photons inside a Laser Cavity
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
How does a black body emit as much energy as it absorbs?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
I with this Circular Aperature Diffraction Problem please
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K