Question

Figure 39-9 gives the energy levels for an electron trapped in a finite potential energy well 450 eV deep. If the electron is in the n = 3 state, what is its kinetic energy?

Short answer

The kinetic energy is K = 233eV.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction:

Electron trapping is a well-recognized issue in organic semiconductors, in particular in conjugated polymers, leading to a significant electron mobility reduction in materials with electron affinities smaller than .

Determine the energy levels for an electron trapped:

Electron in a finite potential well: it is the one in which the potential energy of an electron outside the well in not infinitely great but has a finite positive value called well depth.

Determine the kinetic energy:

From the figure, it is clear that the sum of potential and kinetic energies in the given finite well in the n = 3 state is 233 eV as the potential is zero in the region of , you can conclude that, the kinetic energy is K = 233 eV .