CdS has a band gap of 2.4 eV. If large crystals of CdS are illuminated with ultraviolet light, they emit light equal to the band gap energy. (c) What about red light?

Key Concepts

Band Gap Energy

The band gap energy is the energy difference between the valence band and the conduction band in a semiconductor or insulator. It determines the wavelengths of light that a material can absorb or emit. For CdS, a band gap of 2.4 eV means it can absorb photons with energy equal to or greater than this value, leading to the emission of light when excited.

Photoluminescence

Photoluminescence is the process by which a material absorbs photons and then re-emits them. In the case of CdS, when it is illuminated with ultraviolet light, the absorbed energy excites electrons, which then return to their ground state, emitting light corresponding to the band gap energy. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding how CdS interacts with light.

Color of Light and Energy

The color of light is determined by its wavelength, which is inversely related to its energy. Red light has a longer wavelength and lower energy (around 1.65 eV) compared to the 2.4 eV band gap of CdS. Therefore, CdS cannot emit red light, as the energy of red photons is insufficient to bridge the band gap, meaning it cannot be excited to emit light of that wavelength.