Photon-Atom Interactions

Photon-atom interactions involve the exchange of energy between light particles (photons) and atoms. When a photon hits an atom, it can be absorbed, exciting the atom's electrons to a higher energy level, or it can be scattered, changing direction without being absorbed. In atomic collisions, these interactions can lead to various outcomes, such as ionization (removal of an electron) or the release of light (emission of a photon). Understanding these processes is crucial in fields like spectroscopy and quantum mechanics, as they explain how substances absorb and emit light, influencing everything from chemical reactions to the behavior of lasers.