What is the wavelength of the light?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the wavelength of light emitted during an electron transition in a one-dimensional box, specifically from the n = 7 state to the n = 6 state. The focus is on the mathematical approach and the correctness of the calculations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a calculation for the energy difference and wavelength, but expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their answer.
  • Another participant questions how the first participant knows their answer is wrong and suggests using a different formula for the calculation, providing specific constants and units.
  • A third participant reiterates the suggestion to use the alternative formula and mentions that their calculation aligns with the first participant's but still resulted in an incorrect answer according to an external source.
  • A fourth participant notes a discrepancy in the order of magnitude of the results and suggests that a decimal point may have been misplaced in the calculations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the initial calculation, and multiple competing views regarding the approach and results remain. The discussion is unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential errors in calculations, such as misplaced decimal points, but these issues remain unverified and unresolved within the discussion.

atsum
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Calculate the wavelength of the light emitted when an electron in a one-dimensional box of length 5.2nm makes a transition from the n = 7 state to the n = 6 state.
Express your answer with the appropriate units.

I calculated in this way:
E = n^2*h^2/8*m*a^2
E= (7^2-6^2)*(6.626*10^-34)^2/8*(9.1*10^-31)*(5.2*10^-9)^2
E= 2.9*10^-20 J

E = hc/λ
λ = 6.85*10^-6 m

But the answer is wrong.

What is wrong with my calculation?
 
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How do you know the answer is wrong?

It can help if you do the algebra first, then use more convenient units:$$\lambda=\frac{8(m_e c^2) L^2}{hc}\frac{1}{n_f^2-n_i^2}$$

##hc=1.240\text{eV$\mu$m}##
##m_ec^2=511\text{eV}##
##L=0.0052\text{$\mu$m}##
... give it a go.
(Don't forget to check my algebra to get that equation.)
 
Simon Bridge said:
How do you know the answer is wrong?

It can help if you do the algebra first, then use more convenient units:$$\lambda=\frac{8(m_e c^2) L^2}{hc}\frac{1}{n_f^2-n_i^2}$$

##hc=1.240\text{eV$\mu$m}##
##m_ec^2=511\text{eV}##
##L=0.0052\text{$\mu$m}##
... give it a go.
(Don't forget to check my algebra to get that equation.)

It is the same calculation as mine.
I did the exercise on MasteringChemistry. It only said my answer is wrong.
 
But I got a different order of magnitude from you.
Repeat the calculation ... you have misplaced a decimal point someplace.
 

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