Which Bohr orbit does the electron occupy in this atom?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the Bohr orbit occupied by an electron in a hydrogen atom with a potential energy of -2.72 x 10-19 J. The relevant equations include U = -ke2/r and U = -ke2/(n2r), where r = n2r. The user struggles with calculations leading to unexpected results, indicating a need for clarification on the application of these equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Bohr's model of the hydrogen atom
  • Familiarity with potential energy equations in electrostatics
  • Knowledge of the constants involved, such as k (Coulomb's constant)
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the derivation of the Bohr model equations
  • Learn how to calculate potential energy in atomic systems
  • Explore the implications of moving between different Bohr orbits
  • Investigate the relationship between quantum numbers and energy levels in hydrogen
USEFUL FOR

Students studying quantum mechanics, physics educators, and anyone interested in atomic structure and energy calculations in hydrogen atoms.

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Homework Statement



he potential energy of a hydrogen atom in a particular Bohr orbit is -2.72 10-19 J.
(a) Which Bohr orbit does the electron occupy in this atom?
(b) Suppose the electron moves away from the nucleus to the next higher Bohr orbit. Does the potential energy of the atom increase, decrease, or stay the same?
(c) Calculate the potential energy of the atom for the orbit referred to in part (b).

Homework Equations



U=-ke^2/r
r=n^2 r
U=-ke^2/(n^2 r)

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried plugging in my numbers into the first equation and solving for r, but I got a really weird number with a very large negative exponent. I then tried plugging the numbers into the third equation (which is just a combination of the first two equations), and I got another really weird number. Am I not supposed to be using these equations?
 
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