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Chapter 8: Problem 4

What determines the position of each peak (where along the horizontal axis the peak is positioned) in a photoelectron spectrum?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The horizontal axis in a photoelectron spectrum usually represents either the kinetic energy or binding energy of the ejected electron. The position of each peak along this axis corresponds to different electron energy levels within an atom. Therefore, it is the energy of these electrons that determines the position of each peak on the photoelectron spectrum.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Photoelectron Spectrum

A photoelectron spectrum provides information about an element's energy levels. When light (photons) of a specific energy level strikes an atom, it can cause an electron to be emitted (photoelectron). This process of emission is called the photoelectric effect.
02

Role of Energy Levels

The energy level of the incoming photons and electrons in the atom determines the position of each peak. These peaks correspond to different energy levels where electrons reside within an atom.
03

Peak Positioning

If a photon with just enough energy strikes an electron at a particular energy level, that electron gets ejected and the energy corresponding to that level will be seen as a peak on the spectrum. The higher the binding energy of the electron, the further to the left the peak will appear on a photoelectron spectrum.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The peak due to the \(n=1\) shell is predicted to be at a much higher ionization energy than the \(n=2\) peak because the \(n=1\) shell is "significantly closer to the nucleus.' Why is the distance of the shell from the nucleus important in determining the corresponding peak position in the photoelectron spectrum?

Based on the number of peaks (one), the intensity of the peak, and your understanding of the shell model: a) Explain why it is not possible to determine if the "unknown" atom is \(\mathrm{H}\) or \(\mathrm{He}\) ? b) Explain why the "unknown" atom cannot be Li.

What determines the height (or intensity) of each peak in a photoelectron spectrum?
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