A hydrogen atom is excited to n_initial = 8.A 955 nm photon is emitted as the electron falls to n_final = __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When the electron in a hydrogen atom falls from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, it emits a photon whose energy is equal to the energy difference between the two levels. In this case, the initial level is n=8, and the final level is n=3 since the electron falls to a lower energy level. The energy difference between these levels can be calculated using the Rydberg formula:

1/λ = R(1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2)

where λ is the wavelength of the emitted photon, R is the Rydberg constant, and n1 and n2 are the initial and final energy levels, respectively.

Substituting the given values, we get:

1/λ = R(1/8^2 - 1/3^2)
λ = 954.64 nm

The closest answer choice to this wavelength is D) 3.

A Hydrogen Atom Is Excited to Ninitial = 8

A Hydrogen Atom Is Excited to N_initial = 8