Which of the following is the energy of a possible excited state of hydrogen

• Atomic Structure

Which of the following is the energy of a possible excited state of hydrogen?

1. - 6.8 eV
2. - 3.4 eV
3. + 6.8 eV
4. + 13.6 eV

Solution

The different energy levels of an atom are given by the equation:

E_n = -13.6 Z²/n² eV

Z is the atomic number. For hydrogen, Z = 1.

n = 1,2,3… and so on such that the ground state has n = 1 and the second energy level (first excited state) has n = 2.

So, for first excited state, n = 2

E = -13.6/2² = -13.6/4 = - 3.4 eV

Correct option in B.