The unit 1 electronvolt (1 ev) is defined as the energy acquired by an electron as it moves through a potential difference of 1 v. suppose two states differ in energy by 1.0 ev. what is the ratio of their populations at (a) 300 k and (b) 3000 k?

a)

b) 0.021

Explanation:

The ratio of populations (r) is given by the equation:

Where DE is the difference between the states, k is the Boltzmann constant (k = , and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

So, DE = 1 eV = J

a) For T = 300 K

r =

r =

b) For T = 3000 K

r =

r = 0.021