Question

The photoionization of N2 in the thermosphere absorbs much of the high-energy radiation coming from the sun. If the ionization energy of N2 is 1495 kJ/mol, what is the maximum wavelength of a photon that would have sufficient energy to ionize N2? To which region of the electromagnetic spectrum does this photon belong?

Answer 1

Answer:

1.33 × 10⁻³¹ m

Gamma rays

Explanation:

1 mol of photons required for the photoionization of N₂ has an energy (E) of 1495 kJ = 1495 × 10³ J = 1.495 × 10⁶ J. We can find the wavelength (λ) associated with this energy using the Planck-Einstein equation.

E = h . c . λ⁻¹

where,

h is the Planck's constant

c is the speed of light

E = h . c . λ⁻¹

λ = h . c . E⁻¹ = (6.63 × 10⁻³⁴ J.s) . (3.00 × 10⁸ m/s) . (1.495 × 10⁶ J)⁻¹ = 1.33 × 10⁻³¹ m

This wavelength corresponds to the Gamma rays region of the spectrum.