P.E Experiment
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P.E Experiment
"True or False? An electron in the n = 4 state in the hydrogen atom can go to the n = 2 state by emitting electromagnetic radiation at the appropriate frequency." Is there a distinction between an atom absorbing electromagnetic radiation and emitting it? Can't only light emit radiation? Are "absorb" and "emit" interchangeable across the atom and the light?
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Re: P.E Experiment
Absorb and emit are not interchangeable terms. When an electron falls down from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it will emit specific energy -- the same amount of energy needed to elevate it. For example, if a certain wave length excited an electron from n=2 to n=4, the amount of energy that was ABSORBED, would be exaxtly the amount of energy EMITTED when the electron goes back down. Hope that helps
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Re: P.E Experiment
Absorb means energy is being added to or gained by the system, while emit means energy is being lost or released by the system. In this case, I believe the answer is true, as the electron is going from a higher to lower energy level and energy is being lost.
Re: P.E Experiment
When an electron moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it emits or releases energy. The release of energy is associated with a more stable state. Transitioning from n=4 to n=2 allows the electron to achieve a more stable state, and thus, it emits energy.
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