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#hydrogen spectrum

8 public questions tagged with this topic.

What is a limitation of Bohr’s model when applied to the hydrogen atom’s spectrum?

**Bohr energy levels** E_n = -13.6/n² eV for hydrogen, negative indicating bound state, total energy = -13.6 eV ground state n=1, -3.4 eV n=2, -1.51 eV n=3, etc., photon energy for transition n_i → n_f is ΔE =13.6(1/n_f² -1/n_i²) eV, wavelength λ = hc/ΔE, h=6.6×10⁻³⁴ J·s, c=3×10⁸ m/s. Emission line spectrum characterized by discrete wavelengths because energy levels discrete. Bohr’s model cannot explain the relative intensities of spectral lines, as it does not account for transition probabilities. Using E_n = -13.6/n² eV, r_n = n² a₀, L = n h/2π, R = R₀ A^¹/³, BE = Δm c² and 1 u = 931.5 MeV,

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Bohr Model Energy Levels and Hydrogen Spectrum

What does the presence of discrete wavelengths in the hydrogen spectrum indicate?

**Excitation** energy required to go from n=1 to n=3 is 12.09 eV, from ground to n=∞ ionization 13.6 eV, state n=∞ means ionized, electron free with zero energy, highest level reached by electron beam energy determines which levels can be excited, e.g., 11 eV beam from ground can reach n=2 (10.2 eV) but not n=3 (12.09 eV), so max n=2. Discrete wavelengths indicate that electrons transition between specific energy levels, emitting or absorbing photons of fixed energies. Using E_n = -13.6/n² eV, r_n = n² a₀, L = n h/2π, R = R₀ A^¹/³, BE = Δm c² and 1 u = 931.5 MeV, evaluation

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Bohr Model Energy Levels and Hydrogen Spectrum

Why does the Bohr model predict discrete spectral lines for hydrogen?

**Rutherford's nuclear model** atom has small massive positively charged nucleus with electrons orbiting, size ratio atomic to nuclear ~10⁵, nucleus ~10⁻¹⁵ m atom ~10⁻¹⁰ m, most alpha particles with large impact parameter pass undeflected, small fraction >90° scatter from close approach, centripetal force provided by Coulomb attraction k Z e²/r², fails to explain stability because accelerating charge should radiate and collapse. Discrete spectral lines arise because electrons transition between fixed energy levels, emitting photons with energies equal to the differences between these levels. U

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Atomic Models - Rutherford, Thomson and Bohr

What does the line spectrum of hydrogen indicate about its atomic structure?

**Hydrogen transitions** example n=3→n=1 ΔE=13.6(1-1/9)=12.09 eV, photon 12.09 eV, λ=1240/12.09≈102.6 nm Lyman series, n=3→n=2 ΔE=1.89 eV Balmer visible Hα 656 nm. Absorption photon energy must match difference, if atom in n=2 absorbs 1.89 eV jumps to n=3, if absorbs 12.75 eV from ground 1→4 because -13.6+12.75=-0.85 eV = -13.6/16. The line spectrum suggests that electrons occupy discrete energy levels, emitting photons of specific wavelengths when transitioning between them. Using E_n = -13.6/n² eV, r_n = n² a₀, L = n h/2π, R = R₀ A^¹/³, BE = Δm c² and 1 u = 931.5 MeV, evaluation yields Discr

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Bohr Model Energy Levels and Hydrogen Spectrum

What characterizes the emission line spectrum of a hydrogen atom?

**Bohr energy levels** E_n = -13.6/n² eV for hydrogen, negative indicating bound state, total energy = -13.6 eV ground state n=1, -3.4 eV n=2, -1.51 eV n=3, etc., photon energy for transition n_i → n_f is ΔE =13.6(1/n_f² -1/n_i²) eV, wavelength λ = hc/ΔE, h=6.6×10⁻³⁴ J·s, c=3×10⁸ m/s. Emission line spectrum characterized by discrete wavelengths because energy levels discrete. The emission line spectrum consists of bright lines on a dark background, corresponding to specific wavelengths emitted during electron transitions. Using E_n = -13.6/n² eV, r_n = n² a₀, L = n h/2π, R = R₀ A^¹/³, BE = Δm

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Atoms and Nuclei > Bohr Model Energy Levels and Hydrogen Spectrum