PhysicsLAB: 2009 B6 Form B

The electron energy levels below are for an electron confined to a certain very small one-dimensional region of space. The energy E_n of the levels, where n = 1, 2, 3, . . ., is given by E_n = n²E₁. Express all algebraic answers in terms of E₁ and fundamental constants.

	(a) On the diagram above, label the three excited energy levels with the values for their energies in terms of E₁, the energy of the ground state.

	(b) Calculate the smallest frequency of light that can be absorbed by an electron in this system when it is in the ground state, n = 1.

	(c) If an electron is raised into the second excited state, draw on the diagram all the possible transitions that the electron can make in returning to the ground state.

	(d) Calculate the wavelength of the highest energy photon that can be emitted in the transitions in part (c).