An excited atom emits a photon of a certain
frequency. Then two photons of this
frequency fly towards the atom.
Which of the following is likely to happen
next?
1. An atom will emit another photon of the
same frequency.
2. The atom will absorb one of the photons
and will return to its excited state.
3. One of the two photons will knock an
electron out leaving an ion behind.
4. The atom will absorb both photons and
will become more excited than it originally
To determine what is likely to happen next, let's consider each option based on the known behavior of atoms and photons.
1. An atom will emit another photon of the same frequency: This is possible as atoms can emit photons when transitioning from an excited state to a lower energy state. However, the presence of two photons alone does not guarantee that another photon will be emitted. The atom needs to be in an excited state and have a suitable energy transition available to emit another photon.
2. The atom will absorb one of the photons and return to its excited state: This is also possible as atoms can absorb photons and become excited. If the energy of one of the incoming photons matches the energy required for the atom to transition to a higher energy state, then the atom can absorb that photon and return to an excited state.
3. One of the two photons will knock an electron out, leaving an ion behind: This scenario is less likely. For an electron to be knocked out of an atom, the incoming photons need to carry sufficient energy to overcome the binding force between the electron and the nucleus. Additionally, the frequency and energy of the photons need to be within the energy range for ionization. Ionization typically requires higher energy photons such as those in the ultraviolet or ionizing radiation range.
4. The atom will absorb both photons and become more excited than it originally was: This is less likely. While atoms can absorb multiple photons, their energy levels are discrete, meaning they can only absorb photons that match the energy required for a specific energy level transition. It is less likely for two photons of the same frequency to both match the required energy for a single transition, especially if the initial photon emission has already occurred.
In summary, option 2, where the atom absorbs one of the photons and returns to its excited state, is the most likely outcome based on typical atomic behavior. However, without further information regarding the specific energies involved and the state of the atom, it is difficult to determine the exact outcome with certainty.