Question regarding Atomic Structure (orbits)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around atomic structure, specifically focusing on the orbits of electrons and their associated calculations, including wavelength, velocity, and frequency. The original poster expresses uncertainty regarding their approach to a problem involving these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of wavelength and its implications for determining the velocity of an electron in a specific quantum state. There are questions about the appropriateness of the methods used and the interpretation of results, particularly regarding the relationship between wavelength, frequency, and the number of orbits.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on how to approach the problem, suggesting that the original poster revisit textbook equations related to electron velocity and orbital period. There is acknowledgment of differing interpretations of the calculations, and the original poster admits to having made mistakes in their initial attempts.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of an attachment containing the original problem setup, which may include specific details or constraints relevant to the calculations. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding the units involved in the calculations.

Sanosuke Sagara
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I have my doubt,solution and question in the attachment that followed.Thanks for anybody that spend some time on this question.
 

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Physics news on Phys.org
It's only a coincidence that you got the right number for part (a). The fact that using the same procedure for part (b) gives the wrong answer, is a good indicator that you are using the wrong procedure.

Your problem is that you are calculating [itex]1 / \lambda[/itex] which is not a number of revolutions. It's simply the reciprocal of the wavelength, with units of 1/meters. The answer you need doesn't have any units; it's just a "counting" number.

I suggest that you look in your textbook for equations related to the speed [itex]v[/itex] of the electron in an orbit with quantum number [itex]n[/itex], and the radius [itex]r[/itex] of that orbit. If you know those quantities, you can calculate the time the electron takes for one orbit (the period, [itex]T[/itex]), and from that, the number of orbits it makes in [itex]10^{-8}[/itex] seconds.
 
Ok first of all, calculate the wavelength emitted , in the same way you have calculated in your doc-attachment.then calculate the velocity of the electron in n=2 , i hope you can do that.
then v= (frequency) (wavelength)
calculate frequency with the above formula , this will be give you cycles /sec

Now you want cycles in [itex]10^-8[/itex] seconds , use unitary method.I am getting the correct answer.
 
Yes your both are right and I admit that I just have the 'luck' getting the first answer right and not the second.Thanks for your both detail explanation,jtbell and Dr.Brain,I really appreciate it.
 

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