Finding Bohr Orbit's Quantum # for 0.01mm Hydrogen Atom

In summary, hydrogen atoms with high quantum numbers have been observed in both laboratory and space. To find the quantum number of a hydrogen atom with a radius of 0.01mm, the equation n=(0.00001/(5.29*10^-11))^(1/2) is used, resulting in a value of 434.7. However, due to the quantized nature of orbits in the Bohr model, the correct answer is 435. This is because the uncertainty in the measurement of the orbit means that it is more likely for the atom to be in the 435 orbit rather than the 434 orbit. Therefore, the value of n = 435 is the most accurate representation of the atom's energy level
  • #1
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hydrogen atoms in states of high quantum number have been created in the labortatory and observed in space. Find the quantum number of the Bohr orbit in a hydrogen atom whose radius is 0.01mm.

my problem:
n=(0.00001/(5.29*10^-11))^(1/2)=434.7
i think that n should be 434, because the electron doesn't have enough energy to move up to 435
but the correct answer is 435...
 
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  • #2
I'm not sure but I think this may explain it. Orbits in the Bohr model are quantized. If they were not then the answer could be 434.7. Which means that the orbit was measured (inevitably) with some uncertainty as if the Bohr model is correct then it couldn't possibly be of 0.01mm radius. Now if we know that our value of 434.7 must be either 434 or 435, we look to see which "true" value our answer is closest to. And we find the value of n = 435. The point is we are not sure of the exact value of the atoms energy, but we know it is much more likely that our atom is in the 435 orbit than the 434 orbit.
 
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  • #3
that's logical~ thank you very much! :)
 

1. How do you calculate the Bohr orbit's quantum number for a 0.01mm hydrogen atom?

The Bohr orbit's quantum number for a 0.01mm hydrogen atom can be calculated using the formula n = 0.529 × 10^-11 / r, where n is the quantum number and r is the radius of the orbit in meters.

2. What is the significance of the Bohr orbit's quantum number for a hydrogen atom?

The Bohr orbit's quantum number represents the energy level or the distance from the nucleus of the hydrogen atom. It determines the electron's energy and its position in the atom's energy levels.

3. How does the Bohr orbit's quantum number change for different energy levels in a hydrogen atom?

The Bohr orbit's quantum number increases by one for each energy level in a hydrogen atom. For example, the first energy level has a quantum number of n=1, the second energy level has n=2, and so on.

4. Can the Bohr orbit's quantum number be a fraction or a negative number?

No, the Bohr orbit's quantum number must be a positive integer. This is because it represents the number of full orbits an electron can make around the nucleus in a hydrogen atom.

5. How does the Bohr orbit's quantum number affect the electron's energy in a hydrogen atom?

The Bohr orbit's quantum number directly affects the electron's energy. The higher the quantum number, the higher the energy level and the farther the electron is from the nucleus. This means that electrons with higher quantum numbers have more energy than those with lower quantum numbers.

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