Question 15 of 62intermediate🔧 ApplyShort Answer2 marks

What is the maximum number of emission lines when the excited electron of a H atom in n = 6 drops to the ground state?

Correct Answer

15

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 2.15 | (Page 41)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The maximum number of emission lines corresponds to all possible transitions the electron can make as it drops from n=6n = 6 to the ground state (n=1n = 1). Since each spectral line is associated with a particular transition in the hydrogen atom, we can count the possible transitions from each energy level.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: From n=6n = 6, the electron can drop to n=5,4,3,2,1n = 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, producing 5 emission lines.

  2. Step 2: From n=5n = 5, the electron can drop to n=4,3,2,1n = 4, 3, 2, 1, producing 4 emission lines.

  3. Step 3: From n=4n = 4, the electron can drop to n=3,2,1n = 3, 2, 1, producing 3 emission lines.

  4. Step 4: From n=3n = 3, the electron can drop to n=2,1n = 2, 1, producing 2 emission lines.

  5. Step 5: From n=2n = 2, the electron can drop to n=1n = 1, producing 1 emission line.

  6. Step 6: Total maximum number of emission lines = 5+4+3+2+1=155 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15.

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