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IB Physics SL E 1 4 Atomic Transitions Questions

Analyse SL atomic-transition questions by mapping electron energy levels to absorption or emission lines and counting the possible photon frequencies.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics SL
Level
SL

Exam points

  • identify electron transitions between energy levels as absorption or emission and match their energy differences to spectral lines
  • determine the number and relative wavelengths or frequencies of possible emitted photons from a set of energy levels
  • use energy-level diagrams to select allowed transitions and explain which photons are absorbed or emitted for a stated energy difference

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Study E.1.4—Atomic transitions conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Physics SL E 1 4 Atomic Transitions Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

This question is about energy level transitions.

Some of the electron energy levels for a hydrogen atom are shown.

Figure for Question IB Physics SL E 1 4 Atomic Transitions Questions question 1 — IB Physics SL

Question (a)

(a)

A hydrogen atom is excited to the -1.51 eV level.

[ 1 ]

Question (i)

(i)

On the diagram, label using arrows all the possible transitions that might occur as the hydrogen atom returns to the ground state.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Monochromatic radiation is incident on gaseous hydrogen. All the hydrogen atoms are in the ground state. Describe what could happen to the radiation and to the hydrogen atoms if the incident photon energy is equal to

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

10.2 eV .

[ 2 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

9.0 eV .

[ 1 ]
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