Astronomy in-class activity: allowed electron transitions

Astronomy 210 In-class activity 13 v.13.06.10, fall semester 2013
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Students find their assigned groups of three to four students, and work cooperatively on an in-class activity worksheet on electron transitions in a Bohr model of an atom.

Astronomy quiz question: photon emission/absorption

Astronomy 10 Quiz 8, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Astronomy 10 learning goal Q8.4

[Version 1]

Which one of the following choices best describes what will happen to an electron in an atom that emits a photon?
(A) Transform into a proton.
(B) Emit blackbody radiation.
(C) Undergo a redshift or a blueshift.
(D) Move from an inner to an outer orbital.
(E) Move from an outer to an inner orbital.

Correct answer: (E).

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 5 students
(E) : 6 students

Section 5166
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 4 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 7 students
(E) : 9 students

[Version 2]

Which one of the following choices best describes what will happen to an electron in an atom that absorbs a photon?
(A) Transform into a proton.
(B) Emit blackbody radiation.
(C) Undergo a redshift or a blueshift.
(D) Move from an inner to an outer orbital.
(E) Move from an outer to an inner orbital.

Correct answer: (D).

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 0 students
(B) : 1 student
(C) : 2 student
(D) : 14 students
(E) : 1 students

Section 5166
(A) : 4 students
(B) : 3 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 14 students
(E) : 3 students

Astronomy clicker question: most dangerous photon

Astronomy 10, Spring Semester 2008
Cuesta College, San Luis Obispo, CA

Astronomy 10 learning goal M1.1

Students were asked the following clicker question (Classroom Performance System, einstruction.com) at the beginning of their learning cycle:

[0.3 points.] Which type of light ("electromagnetic radiation") particle is the most dangerous to be exposed to?
(A) A gamma ray photon.
(B) An x-ray photon.
(C) A microwave photon.
(D) (Each of these light particles (A)-(C) are equally dangerous.)

Correct answer: (A)

The energy of a photon is inversely dependent on wavelength; the gamma ray photon is the shortest wavelength of these photons, while the microwave photon has the longest wavelength. Many students explain picking gamma ray photons because of the origins of the Incredible Hulk. There may still be a concern with long-exposure to microwave photons, even though they contain the least amount of energy per particle, due to the number of photons involved.

Student responses
Section 4160
(A) : 19 students
(B) : 2 students
(C) : 1 student
(D) : 7 students

Section 5166
(A) : 26 students
(B) : 5 students
(C) : 3 students
(D) : 17 students