Question

Which of the following electron transitions will require the largest amount of energy in a hydrogen atom

(a) from n = 1 to n = 2

(b) from n = 2 to n = 3

(c) from n = ∞ to n = 1

(d) from n = 3 to n = 5

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) from n = 1 to n = 2

\(\Delta E = R\left[\frac 1{{n_1}^2}-\frac1{{n_2}^2}\right]\);

The largest absorption of energy will be for the transition n = 1 to n = 2. \(\Delta\)E, for the transition n = ∞ to n = 1, is although maximum but in this transition energy will be released.