An electron falling from one energy level to another emits a photon of wavelength 550nm. What is the difference between the two energy levels?

The key equation is that of the energy of a photon.

E = hc/λ​ 

Using λ​ = 550nm gives E = 3.61x10^-19J (Remember that a nanometer is 1x10^-9 m).

Using the conservation of energy, the energy of this photon must be the energy lost by the electron.

Hence, the energy gap E = 3.61x10^-19J 

JL
Answered by Jamie L. Physics tutor

3245 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A car of mass m is travelling at a speed v around a circular track of radius r banked at an angle θ. (a) What is the centripetal acceleration of the car? (b) What is the normal force acting on the car? (c) If θ = 45°, r = 1 km what is the maximum speed?


An atom can become excited by the absorption of photons. Explain why only photons of certain frequencies cause excitation in a particular atom.


A bungee jumper of mass 160kg falls from a cliff. The bungee cord has a natural length of 5.0m and a stiffness constant of 3.0N/m. The air resistance is a constant force of 4.0N, what's the speed of the jumper when the total length of cord is 5.9m?


Is a photon a wave or a particle??


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning