Nuclear/Atomic energy levels

[ibstudent321]

Hey,

Are nuclear energy levels and atomic energy levels the same thing? Also shouldn't the atomic line emission spectra be evidence for this?  

[Odelouche]

Hey,

 

'Nuclear' => nucleus, while 'atomic' => atom. The difference between those two are the electrons. So, the nuclear energy levels refer to the nucleus of the atom, and the arrangement and stability of neutrons and protons, while the atomic energy levels refer to positions and arrangement of electrons on their respective energy levels (ground state, first, second, etc...) according to the Pauli exclusion principle. In the question, it asks what provides evidence for the quantization of nuclear energy levels, thus referring to the protons and neutrons in the nucleus. In various types of decays, or in fusion and fission, alpha particles and photons are emitted, each with discrete energy levels. Therefore, I and II provide evidence. However, the atomic line emission spectra refers to which wavelengths of light are absorbed by certain elements, and this is in relation to the atomic energy levels (the photons of light are absorbed by the orbiting electrons, which consequently 'jump up' energy states around the nucleus). Therefore, the atomic line emission spectra does not provide evidence for the quantization of nuclear energy levels. 

 

Hope this helps

[ibstudent321]

Thanks! That helps a lot. Good luck for tomorrow btw