Toy model 'contradiction'

[JRomans]

This simply depends on the definition of the electron’s energy level diagram’s 0 level. If one defines the ground state (n1) as the zero energy level, the higher energy levels become more negative as in the represented case in the video (ionization potential has the lowest value). If the ground state is defined as the necessary energy to unbound the electron from the atom, the n1 state will have the smallest value and the ionization potential is going to have 0 eV level.
So the positive contribution from the monopole shift means that this always lowers the necessary energy to ionize the atom – the electron is less bounded to the atom, electron has higher energy.

[Author]

Posts