No. of possible electron transitions in hydrogen in magnetic field

AI Thread Summary
In a magnetic field, a hydrogen atom in the n=3 state can undergo multiple electron transitions to the ground state, influenced by the Zeeman Effect. The presence of the magnetic field causes the previously degenerate energy levels to split based on the angular momentum quantum number. Each unique combination of quantum numbers, such as differing orbital magnetic quantum numbers, results in distinct energy levels. Consequently, this leads to a greater number of observable photon energies during de-excitation. Understanding these principles is crucial for analyzing the transitions and energy levels in hydrogen under magnetic influence.
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Homework Statement


A hydrogen atom is in the n=3 state. Given that a magnetic field is present, how many photons of different energy can we observe when the atom de-excites to the ground state?

Homework Equations


quantum number, angular momentum quantum number, orbital magnetic quantum number

The Attempt at a Solution


So far, I am aware in the absence of a magnetic field, there should be three possible transitions: n=3 to n=2, n=3 to n=1, and n=2 to n=1. I know that a magnetic field will cause there to be orbital magnetic quantum number. However, may I know whether electrons in the same n-state but with different angular momentum quantum number and orbital magnetic quantum number have different energy levels? For example, are energy levels of electron in the state: [n=3, l=2, m[itex]_{l}[/itex]=1] different from [n=3, l=2, m[itex]_{l}[/itex]=-1]?
 
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Welcome to PF;
Magnetic fields interact with the electron angular momenta ... thus splitting the energy levels.
So yes - each angular momentum state now has a unique energy where before you had degenerate states.
The question is basically testing your knowledge of this ...

Look up "splitting" and "hyperfine splitting".
But what I think you really want is "Zeeman Effect".
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/quantum/zeeman.html
 
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