homework for Monday, September 24, 2007


Unlike on the JIT, this time you have to show all work/calculations

I am expecting you to do these problems on your own,  without consulting other people, me excepted; please sign a statement to that effect at the end of your homework.
I will be available by email this weekend.  I will also be available in person (and the labs will be open so that you can use the image processing programs) Saturday morning from 10 am - noon  and Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm.  Plan ahead!

Problem 1 MUST be done by and brought to class on monday

1)  For transitions involving level 4 and a higher level in the hydrogen atom,

a) calculate the changes in the electron energy that will result in the three longest possible wavelengths.

b) show these transitions on an energy level diagram

c) calculate the wavelengths that are absorbed (or emitted) in these three transitions

(please do NOT use equations 31-1 or 31-2 .... use the ones that were on the board in class Friday.... the ones with numbers in)


2) Do this problem If you DIDN'T do it correctly on the JIT:
show convincingly that it is possible for a hydrogen atom to emit or absorb a radio photon by
(and you can do the following parts in any order)

a) finding a specific transition (i.e., what is the initial and final n?) that produces a radio wavelength

b) calculating the appropriate energy change of the electron (= energy of the photon) in ev

c) calculating the resulting wavlength (and make sure it is in the radio!)


3) Go through the images in lab 1 (the image processing lab) and

a) list EACH object that is shining by fluorescence

(presumably you know what state(s) of matter an object must have to produce an bright-line/emission spectrum;
if not, you can always go back and read the appropriate Kirchhoff law stated in the book)

b) list at least three objects -- as pictured in the image processing lab -- that could not possibly have a bright-line spectrum

It is actually a good thing that you DON'T have the image processing lab books; there's nothing in them that could possibly help.
You have to actually LOOK at the images.  The image processing lab instructions are still on the web page.

Please do not give a vague name such as "nebula" or an image name that has multiple objects in it (such as "Coma" or  "Cen-X3").
BE SPECIFIC.  You can give the specific (proper) name or the generic name of an object

and just so you know....  anyone who does not ace this assignment, there will be another tuesday.... we need to get this stuff mastered....
if you need help from me, make sure that you get it early!