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

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy levels of hydrogen and helium atoms, particularly focusing on the differences in energy levels between a hydrogen atom and an ionized helium atom, represented as ##1s^1##. Participants explore the implications of atomic number (Z) on energy levels and the electronic configurations of these atoms.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants question the differences in energy levels between hydrogen and ionized helium, specifically regarding the role of atomic number (Z) and how it affects energy levels. There is also discussion about the meaning of "higher" energy levels and the implications of negative energy values.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the relationship between Z and energy levels. Some participants express confusion over terminology and the implications of negative energy values, while others attempt to clarify these concepts without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of atomic structure and energy levels, with some expressing uncertainty about the electronic configurations and the representation of orbitals for different atomic states.

Danielk010
Messages
35
Reaction score
4
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.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
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}##
 
Last edited:
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.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Danielk010
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?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: hutchphd
  • #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
 

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K