An atom with mass m emits a photon of wavelength ?. (a) | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics

Chapter 39 Problem 56P

Question

An atom with mass m emits a photon of wavelength λ. (a) What is the recoil speed of the atom? (b) What is the kinetic energy K of the recoiling atom? (c) Find the ratio K/E, where E is the energy of the emitted photon. If this ratio is much less than unity, the recoil of the atom can be neglected in the emission process. Is the recoil of the atom more important for small or large atomic masses? For long or short wavelengths? (d) Calculate K (in electron volts) and K/E for a hydrogen atom (mass 1.67 × 10-27kg) that emits an ultraviolet photon of energy 10.2 eV. Is recoil an important consideration in this emission process?

Solution

Solution 56P

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Title Sears and Zemansky's University Physics with Modern Physics 13 
Author Hugh D. Young; Roger A. Freedman; A. Lewis Ford
ISBN 9780321696861

An atom with mass m emits a photon of wavelength ?. (a)

Chapter 39 textbook questions

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