Question

If a gas with molecules having an ionization energy of W J is exposed to a radiation of frequency f Hz, the ionization will occur if: ___________

Answer 1

Ionization occurs when the energy of the photon is greater than or equal to the ionization energy of the gas molecule. This condition is met when the frequency of the radiation is such that f ≥ W/h, where h is Planck's constant.

Step-by-step explanation:

The ionization of a gas molecule by a photon occurs when the energy of the incoming photon (electromagnetic radiation) is greater than or equal to the ionization energy (W) of the molecules in the gas. The energy (E) of a photon is determined by the equation E = hf, where h is Planck's constant (6.626 x 10-34 J·s) and f is the frequency of the radiation. Therefore, for ionization to occur, the frequency of the radiation must satisfy the condition f ≥ W/h.