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Distinguishing Excitation From Ionization 4 questions
Distinguishing Excitation From Ionization
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A classroom detector model starts with neutral atoms in their ground state. An atom can receive energy from at most one photon during the test. A photon of 3 model energy units can raise an electron to a higher level, but removing an electron from a ground-state atom requires at least 6 units. An electron collector counts only electrons that leave an atom.
| Test | Photon energy (units per photon) | Number of photons arriving | Light emitted by sample | Electrons collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 3 | 14 | Yes | 0 |
| Q | 7 | 6 | No | 6 |
Question 1
Which record directly shows that some atoms lost electrons?
- The photons in P have energy of 3 units.
- P emits light.
- Q gives six electrons at the collector.
- Q has fewer incoming photons.
Question 2
Calculate the total energy arriving in each test. Explain why the tests can give different electron counts even at those totals.
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Question 3
Explain how P can emit light while the collector receives no electrons.
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A new run doubles the number of arriving photons in P. Their energy is still 3 units each. Each atom still receives energy from at most one photon.
Question 4
Predict whether doubling the number of these photons will make the collector count electrons. Use the threshold in the model.
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