Math Problem Statement
A photon with a wavelength of 102.6 nm is emitted from a hydrogen atom as excited electron falls to the ground state (i.e. nfinal = 1).
What is ninitial for this photon?
Solution
To find the initial energy level () of the electron in the hydrogen atom that emitted a photon of wavelength 102.6 nm, we can use the Rydberg formula for hydrogen emission lines:
Where:
- is the wavelength of the emitted photon (in meters),
- is the Rydberg constant for hydrogen, approximately ,
- is the final energy level (which is 1 for ground state),
- is the initial energy level.
Step 1: Convert the wavelength to meters:
Step 2: Rearrange the Rydberg equation to solve for :
Step 3: Calculate the right-hand side:
Step 4: Solve for :
Thus, the initial energy level () is 3.
Would you like further details on the steps, or do you have any questions?
Here are 5 related questions to expand on this topic:
- How does the Rydberg constant relate to energy transitions in hydrogen atoms?
- What is the significance of the Balmer and Lyman series in hydrogen spectroscopy?
- How would the energy of the emitted photon change for transitions between different levels?
- How can we use the energy of a photon to calculate the transition energy of an electron in any atom?
- How does the wavelength of emitted photons vary with increasing energy level transitions?
Tip: When dealing with atomic transitions, the higher the energy level difference between the initial and final states, the shorter the wavelength of the emitted photon.
Ask a new question for Free
By Image
Drop file here or Click Here to upload
Math Problem Analysis
Mathematical Concepts
Atomic Spectroscopy
Quantum Transitions
Algebra
Formulas
Rydberg formula: 1/λ = R_H * (1/n_final^2 - 1/n_initial^2)
Theorems
Rydberg Constant for Hydrogen Atom
Suitable Grade Level
Grades 11-12, College Level
Related Recommendation
Calculate Maximum Wavelength for Electron Removal in Hydrogen Atom from n=1 and n=2
Calculate Energy Change and Frequency for Electron Transition in Hydrogen Atom from n=4 to n=1
Calculate Photon Wavelength for Electron Transition from n=6 to n=3
Calculate Wavelength for n=3 to n=5 Transition in Hydrogen Atom
Wavelength of Radiation Emitted in a Hydrogen Atom Transition (n = 5 to n = 4)