Helium absorbs a certain wavelength of yellow light. Which of the following is true?(1 point)

Responses

Helium cannot absorb any other wavelength of light.
Helium cannot absorb any other wavelength of light.

Helium can absorb any light that is an integer multiple of this wavelength.
Helium can absorb any light that is an integer multiple of this wavelength.

Helium can emit light with the same wavelength.
Helium can emit light with the same wavelength.

This wavelength is precisely half the wavelength of the red light absorbed by hydrogen.

1 answer

Among the given options regarding helium's interaction with light, the statement that is true is:

Helium can emit light with the same wavelength.

This is correct because when helium absorbs light of a specific wavelength, it can later release that energy in the form of light, which can involve emitting light at the same wavelength again.

The other statements are not accurate:

  1. Helium cannot absorb any other wavelength of light: This is false because gases can absorb multiple wavelengths depending on their electronic transitions.

  2. Helium can absorb any light that is an integer multiple of this wavelength: This is misleading; absorption depends on the specific energy levels and transitions available in helium, not merely integer multiples.

  3. This wavelength is precisely half the wavelength of the red light absorbed by hydrogen: This is also not necessarily true; the relationship between wavelengths absorbed by different elements depends on their electronic structures, and such a direct relationship is not guaranteed.

Thus, the correct answer is that helium can emit light with the same wavelength it absorbed.