How Many Revolutions Does an Electron Make in Hydrogen's First Excited State?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the number of revolutions an electron makes in the first excited state of hydrogen, based on its lifetime of 10^-8 seconds. The subject area pertains to atomic physics and the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss finding the electron's speed in the excited state and calculating the distance of a revolution to determine the total number of revolutions. There is a question about whether to use the speed of light for the velocity in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered reasoning related to the period of the electron's orbit and how it relates to the given lifetime. There is an ongoing exploration of the appropriate velocity to use in the calculations, indicating a productive dialogue on the topic.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of using different velocities and constants, such as the fine structure constant, in their calculations. There is a focus on the assumptions underlying the Bohr model and its application to the problem.

Jacob87411
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According to the Bohr theory, how many revolutions will an electron make in the first excited state of hydrogen if the lifetime in that state is 10^-8?

Basically do I find the speed of the that the electron moves in this excited state then get the distance that a revolution is and divide it by the time?
 
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Find the period for the first orbit and then use [itex]10^{-8}s[/itex] and the following reasoning

1 revolution---------------------------->T

x revolutions---------------------------->10^{-8}s

Daniel.
 
Last edited:
Right. When finding the period do I take velocity to be the speed of light?
 
No,the velocity on the first orbit

[tex]v_{I}=\alpha c[/tex]

,where [itex]\alpha[/itex] is the fine structure constant...

Daniel.
 

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