An electron de-excites from the fourth quantum level to the third and then directly to the first. Two frequencies of light are emitted. How do their combined energies compare to the energy of the single frequency that would be emitted by de-excitation from the fourth level directly to the first level?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combined energies of the two frequencies emitted during the stepwise de-excitation (from the fourth to the third level and then from the third to the first level) are equal to the energy of the single frequency that would be emitted if the electron de-excited directly from the fourth to the first level. This is because energy levels in atoms are quantized and the energy difference between specific levels is fixed, so the total energy released in transitions is conserved regardless of the path taken.

An Electron De-Excites from the Fourth Quantum Level to the Third