Hydrogen Atom's Energy Levels-True/False

[sona1177]

Homework Statement

Which of the following statements are true about the hydrogen atom's energy levels?

the ground state (n = 1) energy is -13.6 eV TRUE

the wavelength of a photon emitted from the n=3 to n=2 transition is longer than that emitted for the n=4 to n=3 transition FALSE

13.6 eV is enough energy to ionize hydrogen, which means exciting an electron from n = 1 up to zero energy TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state can absorb a photon of any energy less than 13.6 eV FALSE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV
TRUE

WHAT AM I DOING WRONG??

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

[Pengwuino]

"What am I doing wrong" is a fairly vague question...

 

[sona1177]

"What am I doing wrong" is a fairly vague question...

I realize that, but since its true and false, I don't know how else to ask.

 

[Pengwuino]

I realize that, but since its true and false, I don't know how else to ask.

So you're asking if what you have is right or wrong?

 

[sona1177]

So you're asking if what you have is right or wrong?

Well I know at least one of the answers is wrong because I am getting marked incorrect.

Im thinking the third and last one are both false. Because if n>1 then that would be an excited state. is this right? thanks!

 

[sona1177]

would all of them be false except the first one? because if its in the excited state then n>1 and then E >13.6eV? I know the first and second ones are correct for sure :)

 

[Pengwuino]

If you're talking about n>1 for the 2nd problem, it's not really what's being asked. Both transitions are acceptable and they will emit a photon. However they'll be different energy photons and it's basically asking which will have a larger wavelength (and you picked correctly). The last question I believe is wrong. I'm pretty sure you can just have a scattering action from the extra energy but I'm not certain.

Actually don't take my word on this stuff, it's been a while since I've done NR QM...

 

[sona1177]

Sorry I don't think I am thinking straight here.

If En=E1/n^2 where E1=-13.6 eV and n=1,2,3, then wouldn't E always be less than E1, then the fourth statement is true and the last is also true. so I would have:

the ground state (n = 1) energy is -13.6 eV TRUE

the wavelength of a photon emitted from the n=3 to n=2 transition is longer than that emitted for the n=4 to n=3 transition FALSE

13.6 eV is enough energy to ionize hydrogen, which means exciting an electron from n = 1 up to zero energy TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state can absorb a photon of any energy less than 13.6 eV TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV
TRUE

IS this correct?

 

[sona1177]

If you're talking about n>1 for the 2nd problem, it's not really what's being asked. Both transitions are acceptable and they will emit a photon. However they'll be different energy photons and it's basically asking which will have a larger wavelength (and you picked correctly). The last question I believe is wrong. I'm pretty sure you can just have a scattering action from the extra energy but I'm not certain.

Actually don't take my word on this stuff, it's been a while since I've done NR QM...

well i found out the last two are true. but its still marking me wrong when i have

True
false
true
true
true

Could the third one be wrong?

 

[supratim1]

Statement - the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV.

It is FALSE.

because it can absorb a photon of greater energy, be ionized and the extra energy is converted to kinetic energy of the electron.

 

[sona1177]

Statement - the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV.

It is FALSE.

because it can absorb a photon of greater energy, be ionized and the extra energy is converted to kinetic energy of the electron.

SO IS IT GOING TO BE:


Which of the following statements are true about the hydrogen atom's energy levels?

the ground state (n = 1) energy is -13.6 eV TRUE

the wavelength of a photon emitted from the n=3 to n=2 transition is longer than that emitted for the n=4 to n=3 transition FALSE

13.6 eV is enough energy to ionize hydrogen, which means exciting an electron from n = 1 up to zero energy TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state can absorb a photon of any energy less than 13.6 eV TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV
FALSE

 

[supratim1]

Statement - the hydrogen atom in its ground state can absorb a photon of any energy less than 13.6 eV

is FALSE.

it can only absorb discrete energies less than 13.6ev, which correspond to energy difference between level 1 and some upper level.

 

[sona1177]

THANKS, SUPRATIM. LET ME TRY AGAIN (I AM SUBMITTING THIS FOR HOMEWORK AND IM ON MY LAST TRY SO IF I GET THIS WRONG, I WILL LOSE ALL THE POINTS, SO I WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK):

Which of the following statements are true about the hydrogen atom's energy levels?

the ground state (n = 1) energy is -13.6 eV TRUE

the wavelength of a photon emitted from the n=3 to n=2 transition is longer than that emitted for the n=4 to n=3 transition FALSE

13.6 eV is enough energy to ionize hydrogen, which means exciting an electron from n = 1 up to zero energy TRUE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state can absorb a photon of any energy less than 13.6 eV FALSE

the hydrogen atom in its ground state cannot absorb a photon of any energy greater than 13.6 eV
FALSE

 

[supratim1]

welcome Sona. yes you are right now. all the best for your homework, you will surely get full marks. :-)

 

[sona1177]

welcome Sona. yes you are right now. all the best for your homework, you will surely get full marks. :-)

Thanks, Supratim! I got this one right. Now onto the other Rutherford one . . .