Moderate

Hydrogen atoms are excited to the stationary state designated by the principal quantum number n = 4. The maximum number of spectral lines observed is

Correct answer: D. 6

  • A. 2
  • B. 4
  • C. 3
  • D. 6

Explanation

D is the right option Here's why:: When hydrogen atoms are excited to the n = 4 state, they can transition to lower energy states, resulting in the emission of photons corresponding to different spectral lines. The number of possible transitions is given by the formula n(n−1)/2, where n is the principal quantum number. For n = 4, the number of spectral lines observed would be 4(4−1)/2=6.

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About Atomic Spectra

Atoms emit or absorb light at specific wavelengths because electrons occupy quantized energy levels and change levels by absorbing or releasing photons. The topic covers emission and absorption spectra, spectral series, hydrogen’s line spectrum, energy-level transitions, and the relation between wavelength, frequency and photon energy.

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