Do you graph the energy levels of a ##1s^1## atom the same as a ##1s^2## atom?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the energy levels of hydrogen (Z=1) and ionized helium (1s1, Z=2). The energy levels are defined by the equation En = E0 * (Z2 / n2), where increasing Z raises the energy level, while increasing n lowers it. The participants clarify that for ionized helium, E0 is effectively 4 * E0 due to its nuclear charge. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between Z, n, and the sign of E0 in determining energy levels.

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  • Understanding of atomic structure and electron configurations
  • Familiarity with quantum mechanics concepts, specifically energy levels
  • Knowledge of the equation En = E0 * (Z2 / n2)
  • Basic grasp of the concept of reduced mass in atomic systems
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  • Study the implications of nuclear charge (Z) on atomic energy levels
  • Explore the concept of reduced mass in multi-electron systems
  • Investigate the differences in energy levels between hydrogen and helium in detail
  • Learn about the significance of negative energy values in quantum mechanics
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Students of physics, particularly those studying atomic theory, quantum mechanics, and anyone interested in the behavior of hydrogen and helium atoms in various states of ionization.

Danielk010
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Homework Statement
Draw an energy-level diagram showing the lowest four levels of singly ionized helium. Show all
possible transitions from the levels and label each transition with its wavelength.
Relevant Equations
##E_n = \frac {-me^2} {32\pi^2\varepsilon_0^2n^2}##
From the first equation, there are 5 constants, e, ##\pi##, ##\varepsilon_0##, ##n^2##, and 32. The only difference is m, where helium has around four times the mass of hydrogen. What I don't get is if there is a difference between the energy levels of the hydrogen and the ionized hellium? Also I get that helium is ionized in this case so would the atom have an electric configuration of ##1s^1##? Thank you for any help.
 
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Danielk010 said:
What I don't get is if there is a difference between the energy levels of the hydrogen and the ionized hellium?
What is ##Z## for hydrogen and helium? How do the energy levels depend on ##Z##?
 
kuruman said:
What is ##Z## for hydrogen and helium? How do the energy levels depend on ##Z##?
Z for hydrogen is 1 and Z for helium is 2. The higher the Z, the higher the energy level. I got the equation: ##E_n = E_0 * \frac {Z^2} {n^2}##
 
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What does higher mean here? These levels are usually measured relative to zero at ionization (hencenegative). Also be aware that the mass is the "reduced mass" which changes a little.
 
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Danielk010 said:
Z for hydrogen is 1 and Z for helium is 2. The higher the Z, the higher the energy level. I got the equation: ##E_n =##E = E_0 * \frac {Z^2} {n^2}##
hutchphd said:
What does higher mean here? These levels are usually measured relative to zero at ionization (hencenegative). Also be aware that the mass is the "reduced mass" which changes a little.

So the ##E_0## value would be increased by the Z, nuclear charge and decreased by n, number of electrons. If ##E_0## is negative then it would be vice versa, I think? Since the hellium is ionized so n = 1 and Z = 2, that means it is ##4 * E_0##, right?
 
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Danielk010 said:
If ##E_0## is negative then it would be vice versa, I think?
I don't know what you are trying to say here. Vice versa is used to indicate that the reverse of what you have said is also true. For example 'people can perform some tasks better than machines can and vice versa' means that machines can perform some tasks better than people can.

So are you saying that if ##E_0## is negative, then it would be . . . positive?
 
kuruman said:
I don't know what you are trying to say here. Vice versa is used to indicate that the reverse of what you have said is also true. For example 'people can perform some tasks better than machines can and vice versa' means that machines can perform some tasks better than people can.

So are you saying that if ##E_0## is negative, then it would be . . . positive?
Sorry for the confusion.

What I meant is that when ##E_0## is negative. If Z increased then ##E_0## would decrease. If n increased, ##E_0## would increase as well.

When ##E_0## is positive, when Z increased, ##E_0## would also increase. When n increased, ##E_0## would decrease.
 
When the magnitude of a negative number increases, the number decreases because it moves farther away from zero. It is more descriptive to say that if ##Z## is increased, the ground state ##E_0## will lie deeper.
 
What is 1s2?
 
  • #10
pines-demon said:
What is 1s2?
The electronic configuration
 
  • #11
kuruman said:
When the magnitude of a negative number increases, the number decreases because it moves farther away from zero. It is more descriptive to say that if ##Z## is increased, the ground state ##E_0## will lie deeper.
Ok thank you
 
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  • #12
Danielk010 said:
The electronic configuration
Ah right. I do not get the question, but as for the title, we tend to represent orbitals for a single particle (electron) not for two.
 
  • #13
Ok thank you. I think I got the idea
 

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