Question

The electron in hydrogen atom is initially in the 4^th excited state. When it finally moves to ground state, the maximum number of spectral lines emitted are ______.

Options

• 12

• 10

• 8

• 6

Answer 1

The electron in hydrogen atom is initially in the 4th excited state. When it finally moves to ground state, the maximum number of spectral lines emitted are 10.

Explanation:

The maximum number of spectral lines obtained on account of the transition of an electron present in the n^th orbit is given by:

N = `(n (n - 1))/2`

For 4^th excited state, n = 5

∴ N = `(5 (5 - 1))/2`

= `(5 * 4)/2`

= `20/2`

= 10