In a hydrogen atom, which transition emits the photon with the highest energy?

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Question: In a hydrogen atom, which transition emits the photon with the highest energy?

Options:

Correct Answer: n=2 to n=1

Solution:

The energy of the emitted photon is highest for the transition from n=2 to n=1, as it involves the largest energy difference.

In a hydrogen atom, which transition emits the photon with the highest energy?

In a hydrogen atom, which transition emits the photon with the highest energy?

Step 1: Understand that a hydrogen atom has energy levels, which are represented by 'n' values (n=1, n=2, n=3, etc.).
Step 2: Know that when an electron moves from a higher energy level (n) to a lower energy level, it emits a photon.
Step 3: The energy of the emitted photon depends on the difference between the two energy levels.
Step 4: Calculate the energy difference for the transition from n=2 to n=1. This is the largest difference among the possible transitions.
Step 5: Conclude that the transition from n=2 to n=1 emits the photon with the highest energy.

Energy Levels in Hydrogen Atom – The hydrogen atom has quantized energy levels, denoted by principal quantum numbers (n). Transitions between these levels result in the emission or absorption of photons with energies corresponding to the difference between the levels.
Photon Energy Calculation – The energy of a photon emitted during a transition is calculated using the formula E = -13.6 eV (1/n_final^2 - 1/n_initial^2), where n_final and n_initial are the principal quantum numbers of the final and initial states, respectively.