Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 40 - One-Dimensional Quantum Mechanics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1213: 17

Answer

${\bf 519}\;\rm nm$

Work Step by Step

We know that $$ E_n = \left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\hbar \omega_e $$ where $n=1,2,3,...$ So, the longest wavelength of light that can be absorbed is given by $$E_{\rm photon}=E_{n+1}-E_{n}=\dfrac{hc}{\lambda}\tag 1$$ where $$E_{n+1}-E_{n}= \left(n+1 - \frac{1}{2}\right)\hbar \omega_e- \left(n - \frac{1}{2}\right)\hbar \omega_e =\hbar \omega_e $$ Plug into (1); $$\hbar \omega_e =\dfrac{hc}{\lambda}$$ Solving for $\lambda$; $$ \lambda=\dfrac{hc}{\hbar \omega_e}=\dfrac{2\pi hc}{h\omega_e}=\dfrac{2\pi c}{ \omega_e}$$ Recalling that the angular frequency of a mass on a spring is given by $\omega=\sqrt{k/m}$. So, $$ \lambda= \left[2\pi c \right]\cdot \sqrt{\dfrac{m}{k}}$$ Plug the known; $$ \lambda= \left[2\pi (3\times 10^8) \right]\cdot \sqrt{\dfrac{(9.11\times 10^{-31})}{12}}$$ $$ \lambda =\bf 5.19 \times 10^{-7} \;\rm m=\color{red}{\bf 519}\;\rm nm$$
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