The electron in a hydrogen atom falls from an excited energy level to the ground state in two steps, causing the emission of photons with wavelengths of 2624 and 97.2 nm. What is the quantum number of the initial excited energy level from which the electron falls?
A)2
B)3
C)4
D)6
E)8

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The wavelengths correspond to transitions from higher energy levels to lower ones. The 97.2 nm photon corresponds to a transition to the ground state (n=1), which is the Lyman series. The 2624 nm photon corresponds to a transition to n=3, which is the Paschen series. The initial level must be n=6, as it allows for a transition to n=3 and then to n=1.

The Electron in a Hydrogen Atom Falls from an Excited