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Grade 12General Physics

What do they have to do with heat? What exactly can cause and electron to become exited and what exactly does the particle it comes in contact with do that causes the electron to become ''exited''? The higher the orbitals and electron spins, the shorter the wavelengths of the radiation it emits correct? But WHY do they emit radiation when the move from a high orbital to a lower orbital?

Profile image of nitin singh
15 Years agoGrade 12
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Profile image of SAGAR SINGH - IIT DELHI
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer15 Years ago

Dear nitin,

What exactly can cause and electron to become exited and what exactly does the particle it comes in contact with do that causes the electron to become ''exited''? Typically "excited" is defined loosely as giving something, in this case electrons, more energy. Anything that gives energy to an electron allows it to become excited.

The higher the orbitals and electron spins, the shorter the wavelengths of the radiation it emits correct? Electrons only have two different ways they can carry spin, so it can't really increase in the sense to which you are referring. Also as you go up in energy levels, the longer the wavelength tends to get from one state to the next. For example going from n=2 to n=1 will be smaller than going from n=3 to n=2 in wavelength.

 

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Sagar Singh

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