Max Wavelength of Sodium Ionization

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the maximum wavelength of radiation that can ionize sodium atoms, specifically focusing on the weakly held electrons. The context is rooted in photoelectron spectroscopy and involves calculations related to photon energy, kinetic energy, and binding energy.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the energy balance required for ionization, questioning the binding energy values used and the calculations performed. There are attempts to clarify the correct binding energy for sodium and the implications of using incorrect values.

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen some participants questioning the accuracy of the binding energy used in the calculations. There is a mix of attempts to clarify concepts and calculations, with one participant claiming to have resolved their own misunderstanding.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of differing values for binding energy among participants, with references to external tables and periodic data. The original poster's calculations are noted to lack sufficient explanation, leading to some frustration among respondents.

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Homework Statement



Atomic sodium is studied by photoelectron spectroscopy. What is the maximum wavelength of the incident radiation that will ionize the most weakly held electrons in sodium and scatter them so that their de Broglie wavelength measures 3.091e-10 m?

Homework Equations



Energy of photon = h.c/λ

kinetic energy = (1/2)*me*v²

Binding Energy

Ve=h/(me*λe)

The Attempt at a Solution



I've tryed this way but without results

Constants:

h= 6.626068 × 10-34
me = 9.11*10^(-31)
c = 299792458

Ep=Ek+Eb

Ep=1.98762*10^-25*λ^-1

Ek=0.5*9.11*10^(-31)*(6.626068*10^-34/(9.11*10^(-31)*3.091^-10))^2=1.01004*10^-17

The binding energy for the most weakly held electrons i found in this table:

http://xdb.lbl.gov/Section1/Table_1-1.pdf

Eb=30.81 ev = 4,94×10-18 j

thus

1.98762*10^-25*λ^-1=1.01004*10^-17+4,94×10

λ=1.32152*10^-8

Whats wrong?
 
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The value for the ionization energy is wrong. It should be about 5 eV, not 30 eV.
The table you linked has values for some other electrons, I think.

I did not check your calculations - without any explanation what you are doing, this is not fun.
 
Explanation

But the question is self explanatory. You have a incident photon that will ionize a sodium atom and scatter a electron with a wavelength equals 3.091e-10. I've just done a energy balance. The energy of the photon must be equal to the kinetic energy of the electron plus binding energy.

Binding energy = 5.1 ev accord with my periodic table from MIT.
 
I solved. I made ​​a mistake in the calculations
 

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