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Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms

Chapter 5, Problem 7

Which arrow in the energy diagram for an atom represents the absorption of light with the shortest wavelength? (LO 5.7)

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Hey everyone, we're asked to identify the transition in the energy diagram below that shows emission with the longest wavelength, as we've learned, wavelength is inversely proportional to energy and distance. So, looking at this energy diagram, we have to find the emission with the shortest distance because the shortest distance will mean that we have the lowest energy, which essentially means we have the longest wavelength, since energy and wavelength are inversely proportional to one another. So looking at our diagram, it looks like answer choice E is going to be our answer, since we're going from N equals two to N equals one. Now, I hope that made sense and let us know if you have any questions.