The energy contained in an electron is given by E = -13.6/n2 eV. If a photon strikes a molecule in a solar panel and excites an electron from n=1 to n=5, how much energy is gained?
A)5 eV
B)7 eV
C)9 eV
D)13 eV
E)13.6 eV

Question

The energy contained in an electron is given by E = ­-13.6/n2 eV. If a photon strikes a molecule in a solar panel and excites an electron from n=1 to n=5, how much energy is gained?
A)5 eV
B)7 eV
C)9 eV
D)13 eV
E)13.6 eV

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

About 13 eV (13.056 eV to be exact) is gained. Looking at the equation, we can see that at n=1, the electron has -13.6 eV of energy. At n=5, E = -13.6/25, or -0.544. Thus, the difference between the two energy states, 13.056 eV, is the energy gained.

The Energy Contained in an Electron Is Given by E