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 41 - Atomic Physics - Exercises and Problems - Page 1245: 15

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ The transition of $4p \to 4s$ is allowed because it satisfies the selection rule where the change in the orbital angular momentum quantum number ($ \Delta l $) is equal to 1. Using the sodium energy levels, the wavelength can be calculated using the formula of $$ \lambda = \frac{hc}{\Delta E} $$ where the energy difference between the $4p$ and $4s$ levels $ \Delta E $ is $ 3.75 \, \text{eV} - 3.19 \, \text{eV} $ $$ \lambda = \frac{(6.63\times 10^{-34})(3\times 10^8)}{(3.75 - 3.19)(1.6\times 10^{-19}) } = \color{red}{\bf 2220} \, \text{nm} $$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ The transition of $3d \to 4s$ is not allowed because it violates the selection rule that requires the change in angular momentum quantum number ($ \Delta l $) to be 1. In this case, the change would be $ \Delta l = 2 $, making the transition forbidden.
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