An alkali metal atom is in the ground state. The orbital angular momentum equals zero and the spin angular momentum is entirely due to the single valence electron. A magnetic field is applied that splits the ground state energy level into two levels, 65 μeV apart.A photon, absorbed by the atom, induces a transition between the two levels. What is the wavelength of the photon? (c = 3.00 × 10⁸ m/s, h = 6.626 × 10^-34 J ∙ s, Bohr magneton = μB = 9.27 × 10^-24J/T, 1 eV = 1.60 × 10^-19 J)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy difference between the two levels is 65 μeV = 65 × 1.60 × 10^-19 J. The wavelength of the photon is given by:λ = hc/E = (6.626 × 10^-34 J ∙ s)(3.00 × 10⁸ m/s)/(65 × 1.60 × 10^-19 J) = 19.1 mm

An Alkali Metal Atom Is in the Ground State