An electron is in a harmonic oscillator potential well and is excited from the ground state to the n = 4 state by a photon of wavelength 350.0 nm.If the electron drops back down from the n = 4 state to the n = 2 state by emitting a photon,what wavelength would it have?
A)700.0 nm
B)175.0 nm
C)525.0 nm
D)233.3 nm

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy of a photon is given by E = hc/λ, where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and λ is the wavelength. The energy difference between the n = 4 and n = 2 states is given by:E_4 - E_2 = (13.6 eV)(1/4^2 - 1/2^2) = 10.2 eVThe wavelength of the photon emitted when the electron drops from the n = 4 to the n = 2 state is therefore:λ = hc/E = (1240 eV nm)/10.2 eV = 121.6 nmThis is closest to choice A, 700.0 nm.

An Electron Is in a Harmonic Oscillator Potential Well and Is