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  1. Problems
  2. /How much energy ionises (a) a hydrogen atom whose electron is in the level n = 5, and (b) a He⁺ ion…
EasyPhysicsHigh School (11–12)Modern Physics › Atoms and Atomic SpectraAtomic PhysicsNumericalBoard Exam

How much energy ionises (a) a hydrogen atom whose electron is in the level n = 5, and (b) a He⁺ ion…

ArnieContributed by Arnie

Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.

How much energy ionises (a) a hydrogen atom whose electron is in the level n=5n = 5n=5, and (b) a He+\text{He}^+He+ ion whose electron is in the level n=3n = 3n=3?

Check your answer

Work it out on paper, then type your number. The answer itself stays hidden.

eV
eV
Need a reminder? The key ideaShowHide

Hydrogen's levels: En=−13.6 eVn2E_n = -\dfrac{13.6\ \text{eV}}{n^2}En​=−n213.6 eV​, and −13.6 Z2n2 eV-\dfrac{13.6\,Z^2}{n^2}\ \text{eV}−n213.6Z2​ eV for an ion with one electron. A jump gives a photon of energy Eupper−ElowerE_{\text{upper}} - E_{\text{lower}}Eupper​−Elower​, with λ=1240 eV nmE\lambda = \dfrac{1240\ \text{eV nm}}{E}λ=E1240 eV nm​. Lyman ends on n=1n = 1n=1, Balmer on n=2n = 2n=2, Paschen on n=3n = 3n=3.

The worked solution

Have you tried it?

Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.

Step 1. (a) E5=−13.6 eV25=−0.544 eVE_5 = -\dfrac{13.6\ \text{eV}}{25} = -0.544\ \text{eV}E5​=−2513.6 eV​=−0.544 eV, so 0.544 eV0.544\ \text{eV}0.544 eV is needed.

Step 2. (b) E3=−13.6×49 eV=−6.04 eVE_3 = -\dfrac{13.6 \times 4}{9}\ \text{eV} = -6.04\ \text{eV}E3​=−913.6×4​ eV=−6.04 eV, so 6.04 eV6.04\ \text{eV}6.04 eV is needed.

Answer: 0.544 eV0.544\ \text{eV}0.544 eV and 6.04 eV6.04\ \text{eV}6.04 eV.

Check. An electron far out is held loosely; the doubled charge of helium holds its electron four times as tightly at the same nnn.

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  1. Bohr's Model of the Hydrogen AtomModern Physics: Light, Atoms, and Quanta

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