When a photon is emitted by a hydrogen atom, it carries momentum. A hydrogen atom emits light of wavelength 656.3 nm . Determine the speed at which the atom recoils during this transition. Take the mass of the hydrogen

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Correct answer: C. 0.6 m s^ -1

By the principle of conservation of momentum, the recoil momentum of the hydrogen atom is equal in magnitude to the momentum of the emitted photon.

p_{\text{atom}} = p_{\text{photon}}

m v = \dfrac{h}{\lambda}

v = \dfrac{h}{m \lambda}

Substituting the given values, with

h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34} \text{ J s}

:

v = \dfrac{6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{1.67 \times 10^{-27} \times 656.3 \times 10^{-9}}

v = \dfrac{6.63 \times 10^{-34}}{1096.02 \times 10^{-36}}

v = \dfrac{6.63}{10.96} \approx 0.6 \text{ m s}^{-1}

When a photon is emitted by a hydrogen atom, it carries momentum. A...

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