IB skill practice

Interpret atomic energy levels and spectra

Paper 1, Paper 2 5 marks Difficulty 4

Photon energy from spectral wavelength

A spectral line in a binding-energy data set has wavelength \(600\,\text{nm}\). Use \(hc=1240\,\text{eV nm}\). Calculate the transition energy. Use the diagram labels before calculating the requested value. Enter the numerical result and choose the interpretation that matches the quantum or nuclear physics.

Worked practice: physics data and result

Read the physical quantities first, then calculate the result and state what it means.