What is the relationship between wavelength and excited shells in atoms?

AI Thread Summary
The relationship between wavelength and atomic excited states is clarified, emphasizing that wavelength is not equal to the distance between excited and ground state shells. Instead, the energy difference between these states determines the wavelength, with larger energy differences resulting in shorter wavelengths. The discussion highlights that focusing on physical spacing between shells is misleading; energy changes are the critical factor. Ultimately, understanding this relationship is essential for grasping atomic behavior and light emission. The conversation underscores the importance of energy rather than spatial distance in this context.
keepit
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is the wavelength equal to the distance between the excited state shell and the rest state shell?
 
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keepit said:
is the wavelength equal to the distance between the excited state shell and the rest state shell?
No.

Could you please give more context. Are you talking about atoms?
 
keepit said:
is the wavelength equal to the distance between the excited state shell and the rest state shell?

In fact, that statement is totally the wrong way round :wink:. The bigger the spacing between the shells (not a good way of looking at it, really because it's the energy difference that counts, rather than the hand-waving idea of spacing) the shorter the wavelength. This is because the frequency associated with the emitted is proportional to the energy change in the atom.
 
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yes, i was talking about atoms but i guess the answer is no.
 

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