Question

Rod cells in the retina of the eye detect light using a photopigment called rhodopsin. 1.8 eV is the lowest photon energy that can trigger a response in rhodopsin. Part A What is the maximum wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that can cause a transition

Answer 1

The maximum wavelength of the e-m wave is 6.9 x 10^-7 m

Step-by-step explanation:

Energy required to trigger a response = 1.8 eV

we convert to energy in Joules.

1 eV = 1.602 x 10^-19 J

1.8 eV =
`x` J

`x` = 1.8 x 1.602 x 10^-19 = 2.88 x 10^-19 J

The energy of an electromagnetic wave is gotten as

E = hf

where

h is the Planck's constant = 6.63 x 10^-34 J-s

and f is the frequency of the wave.

substituting values, we have

2.88 x 10^-19 = 6.63 x 10^-34 x f

f = (2.88 x 10^-19)/(6.63 x 10^-34)

f = 4.34 x 10^14 Hz

We know that the frequency of an e-m wave is given as

f = c/λ

where

c is the speed of light = 3 x 10^8 m/s

λ is the wavelength of the e-m wave

From this we can say that

λ = c/f

λ = (3 x 10^8)/(4.34 x 10^14)

λ = 6.9 x 10^-7 m