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

Electrons in an atom occupy discrete energy levels. An electron can only be excited to another level if it absorbs the exact amount of energy as the difference between the two levels. Therefore the energy of the photon it absorbs needs to be of a specific energy to excite it and, as E = hf, its energy needs to be a specific frequency.

AJ
Answered by Arinjay J. Physics tutor

15000 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How would you calculate the moment of a Force on a rigid object?


A crane is attached to one end of a steel girder, and lifts that end into the air. When the cable attached to the end of the girder is at 20 degrees to the vertical, the tension is 6.5kN. Calculate the horizontal and vertical components of this force.


Two cars start at point A. Car 1 moves in a direction at 5 m/s. After 10 seconds car 2 accelerates in the same direction as car 1 at 2m/s^2. At what time after car 1 starts moving and distance from A does car 2 pass car 1?


A cannon ball is shot at an angle of 60 degrees from a cliff of height 50m, if it's inital speed is 20ms^-1 what horizontal distance does it travel before hitting the ground.


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning