Exploring the Interaction of Photons and Hydrogen Atoms

In summary, the conversation discusses studying the behavior of a hydrogen atom bombarded by photons and determining the incoming photon frequency, possible kinetic energies and speeds of the emerging electrons, and the maximum kinetic energy the electron can have. The suggested approach is to convert the photon energy into Joules and use the equation E=hf to calculate the frequency, then calculate the energy levels of the hydrogen atom for different values of n. The difference between the photon energy and energy levels gives the kinetic energy of the emerging electron, which can be calculated using the equation 1/2mv^2.
  • #1
jezse
5
0
please help me study by answering a few questions.

consider a hydrogen atom with energy levels En= -(13 eV)/(n^2)

this atom is bombarded by photons of E = 15 eV.

What is the incoming photon frequency?

What are possible kinetic energies and speeds of the emerging electrons?

What is the maximun kinetic energy the electon can have?

I'd appreciate any help.
 
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  • #2
Originally posted by jezse
please help me study by answering a few questions.

consider a hydrogen atom with energy levels En= -(13 eV)/(n^2)

this atom is bombarded by photons of E = 15 eV.

What is the incoming photon frequency?

What are possible kinetic energies and speeds of the emerging electrons?

What is the maximun kinetic energy the electon can have?

I'd appreciate any help.

This sounds like it should be in the HWK section...

Anyway, convert 15eV into Joules and then use E=hf to calculate the frequency. Then for n=1,2, 3 etc calculate the energy levels of the Hydrogen atom (stick with Joules, not eV as it may help later).
For levels of less energy than our 15eV photon has, the electron will be ionised by the photon. The difference in energy between the photon energy and the energy level gives the KE of the emerging electron. Use 1/2mv^2 to calculate the velocities.
 
  • #3
sorry new to the board, didn't realize there was a HW section. thanks for your help.
 
  • #4
No problem! :smile:

And welcome to the Physics Forum.
 

What is a Hydrogen Atom?

A Hydrogen atom is the simplest and most abundant atom in the universe. It consists of one proton in its nucleus and one electron orbiting around the nucleus.

How does a Hydrogen Atom produce photons?

When an electron in a Hydrogen atom transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it releases energy in the form of a photon. This process is known as emission and the energy of the photon is determined by the difference in energy between the two levels.

What is the relationship between the energy of a photon and its wavelength?

The energy of a photon is directly proportional to its frequency and inversely proportional to its wavelength. This relationship is described by the equation E=hν, where E is energy, h is Planck's constant, and ν is frequency.

Can a photon be absorbed by a Hydrogen atom?

Yes, a Hydrogen atom can absorb a photon if the energy of the photon matches the energy required for an electron to transition to a higher energy level. This process is known as absorption and the electron will jump to a higher energy level, leaving behind a gap in the lower energy level.

What is the significance of the Balmer series in the Hydrogen atom?

The Balmer series is a set of spectral lines that are produced when an electron in a Hydrogen atom transitions from higher energy levels to the second energy level. These spectral lines are in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and helped scientists to develop the Bohr model of the Hydrogen atom.

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