How much energy to a gamma ray (wavelength is 10?6 nm) and a blue photon (nd a typical wavelength) carry? Put your
answers in J and electron volts (eV). (Electron-volts are useful units of energy because they
are approximately the amount of energy that is absorbed by atoms when they produce
absorption lines.)
b) For comparison, how fast would a hydrogen atom (1:67 10?27 kg) have to be
moving to have the same amount of kinetic energy as each of the two photons? Discuss
the damaging eects of the dierent kinds of photons.
answers in J and electron volts (eV). (Electron-volts are useful units of energy because they
are approximately the amount of energy that is absorbed by atoms when they produce
absorption lines.)
b) For comparison, how fast would a hydrogen atom (1:67 10?27 kg) have to be
moving to have the same amount of kinetic energy as each of the two photons? Discuss
the damaging eects of the dierent kinds of photons.