Light excites atomic hydrogen from its lowest level to the n = 4 level.What is the energy of the light? The energy of the lowest level is -13.6 eV.
A) 12.8 eV
B) 3.40 eV
C) 0.850 eV
D) 26.4 eV

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom is given by $E_n = \frac{-13.6 \text{ eV}}{n^2}$, where $n$ is the principal quantum number. For the lowest level (n=1), $E_1 = -13.6 \text{ eV}$, and for the n=4 level, $E_4 = \frac{-13.6 \text{ eV}}{4^2} = \frac{-13.6 \text{ eV}}{16} = -0.85 \text{ eV}$. The energy of the light that excites the atom from n=1 to n=4 is the difference in energy levels: $E = E_4 - E_1 = -0.85 \text{ eV} - (-13.6 \text{ eV}) = 12.75 \text{ eV}$, which is approximately 12.8 eV.

Light Excites Atomic Hydrogen from Its Lowest Level to the N