Electrons in the presence of a magnetic field transition from 4p energy states to 3d states.How many different spectral lines could be observed from these transitions?
A) one
B) two
C) three
D) five

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of spectral lines is determined by the possible transitions between the magnetic sublevels of the 4p and 3d orbitals. The 4p orbital has 3 sublevels (m = -1, 0, +1) and the 3d orbital has 5 sublevels (m = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2). The selection rule for magnetic quantum number transitions (Δm = 0, ±1) allows for 3 possible transitions: 4p(m=0) to 3d(m=0), 4p(m=+1) to 3d(m=+2), and 4p(m=-1) to 3d(m=-2).

Electrons in the Presence of a Magnetic Field Transition from 4p