A common class of physics problems asks what happens to a quantity that depends on a certain parameter if that parameter changes by a given amount. Here is an approach to these problems:
Write down the formula that connects the dependent quantity
to the parameter that changes.
Write the formula twice:
Once with label 1.
Once with label 2.
Form a ratio of the two equations.
Insert the factor of change for the parameter expressed as a ratio.
Calculate the change in the dependent quantity.

Some material consisting of a collection of microscopic objects is kept at a high temperature. a photon detector capable of detecting photon energies from infrared through ultraviolet observes photons emitted with energies of 0.3 ev, 0.5 ev, 0.8 ev, 2.0ev, 2.5ev, and 2.8ev. these are the only photon energies observed. (a) draw and label a possible energy-level diagram for one of the microscopic objects, which has four bound states. on the diagram, indicate the transitions corresponding to the emitted photons. explain briefly. (b) would a spring–mass model be a good model for these microscopic objects? why or why not? (c) the material is now cooled down to a very low temperature, and the photon detector stops detecting photon emissions. next, a beam of light with a continuous range of energies from infrared through ultraviolet shines on the material, and the photon detector observes the beam of light after it passes through the material. what photon energies in this beam of light are observed to be significantly reduced in intensity (“dark absorption lines”)? explain briefly.