Question #1bc59

1 Answer
Jan 16, 2017

It means that the light must be absorbed or emitted as a single quantum of energy.

Explanation:

For example, the difference between the #n = 2# and #n = 3# levels in the hydrogen atom is #3.03 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"#.

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If an electron drops from level 3 to level 2, the energy must be emitted as a single quantum with energy #3.03 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"#.

The energy will not be emitted as two quanta with energies #2.00 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"# and #1.03 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"# or any other combination of energies.

If an electron jumps from level 2 to level 3, it must absorb a single quantum with energy #3.03 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"#.

It will not absorb two quanta with energies #1.00 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"# and #2.03 × 10^"-19" color(white)(l)"J"# or any other combination of energies.