Three distinct electronic transitions in an excited hydrogen atom are listed below

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Particles and radiation · Particles and radiation

Problem

Three distinct electronic transitions in an excited hydrogen atom are listed below. Each transition releases a photon whose energy is given. Transition X:

1.89\,\text{eV}

per photon Transition Y:

2.86\,\text{eV}

per photon Transition Z:

0.850\,\text{eV}

per photon Fundamental constants: •

c=3.00\times10^{8}\,\text{m}\,\text{s}^{-1}

•

h=6.626\times10^{-34}\,\text{J}\,\text{s}

•

1\,\text{eV}=1.602\times10^{-19}\,\text{J}

(a) For each transition, calculate the wavelength of the emitted photon in nanometres. (b) Rank the three wavelengths from shortest to longest and relate this ordering to the given photon energies. (c) Identify which, if any, of the three photons would be visible to the average human eye. Support your answer quantitatively. (d) The Balmer series of hydrogen corresponds to visible-region emissions that terminate in the

n=2

energy level. Based on your calculations, determine which transition(s) could plausibly belong to the Balmer series and justify your reasoning.

Related theory

Browse the problem library