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

3479 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A projectile is launched from the ground at a speed of 40ms^-1 at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizontal, where does it land? What is the highest point the projectile reaches?


What is gravitational potential and how can gravitational potential energy be used to estimate the escape velocity of a planet of mass m and radius r?


An electron is accelerated through a uniform electric field of strength, E= 20 [N/C]. Determine the speed after the the electron travels 0.5 m from rest.


A sigma0 particle with mass 1193 MeV/c^2 decays into a lambda0 particle with mass 1116 MeV/c^2 a photon. Find the energy and momentum of the photon, assuming that the kinetic energy of the lambda0 particle is negligible.


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