Question

2.) For an atom of helium, it takes 40.8 electron-volts of energy to move an electron from the first energy level to the second, it takes 48.4 electron-volts to move an electron from the first energy level to the third, and it takes 51.0 electron-volts of energy to move an electron from the first energy level to the fourth.

If I were to shine a light made of photons with 51.0 electron-volts of energy, which transition(s)

will I observe? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

You will observe the transition from the first energy level to the fourth energy level. This is because the energy of the photons is equal to the amount needed to move the electron from the first energy level to the fourth energy level. Any energy higher than 51.0 electron-volts would not be observed because the electron would not be able to transition to a higher energy level.