Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Physics

Chapter

Atoms

Question:

The electron in a hydrogen atom first jumps from the third excited state to the second excited state and subsequently to the first excited state. The ratio of the respective wavelengths, $\frac{λ_1}{λ_2}$, of the photons emitted in this process is:

Options:

$\frac{20}{7}$

$\frac{27}{5}$

$\frac{7}{5}$

$\frac{9}{7}$

Correct Answer:

$\frac{20}{7}$

Explanation:

Third excited state(n=4) to second excited state (n=3) $\Rightarrow \frac{1}{\lambda_1} = R(\frac{1}{3^2} - \frac{1}{4^2}) = \frac{7R}{144}$

Second excited state(n=3) to first excited state (n=2)

$\Rightarrow \frac{1}{\lambda_2} = R(\frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{3^2}) = \frac{5R}{36}$

$\Rightarrow \frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2} = \frac{5R/36}{7R/144} = \frac{20}{7}$