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The lowest triplet state manifold in calcium is 1.886 eV above the ground-state

ID: 1028491 • Letter: T

Question

The lowest triplet state manifold in calcium is 1.886 eV above the ground-state and has three J sublevels, J = 0, 1, and 2. What is the electron configuration and the full set of term symbols for the lowest triplet state manifold? Of course, emission from this triplet state manifold to the ground state is extremely weak. Why is that? What is the term symbol of the ground state for calcium? What are the population ratios of the levels in this manifold to the ground state at thermal equilibrium in a plasma with a temperature of 40,000 K? Please show all work and explain.

Explanation / Answer

Consider the electron configuration [Ar]4s14p1

L = 1 S = 0, 1

J = 0,1,2

full set of term symbols for the lowest triplet state manifold are

3P2,3P1,3P0,1P1

Of course, emission from this triplet state manifold to the ground state is extremely weak. This is due to the fact that triplet state is stable as compare to singlet state.

The term symbol of the ground state for calcium is 1S0