Chemistry Question

Question

The energy of a photon emitted when an electron underwent a transition to n = 3 energy level was 1.060x10^-19 J. What was the initial energy level for the electron?

Answer 1

∆E = R_H(1/n_f² - 1/n_i²)

1.060x10-19 J = 2.179x10-18 J (1/3² - 1/n_i²)

1.060x10-19 J = 2.421x10-19 J - 2.179x10^-18/n_i²

-1.36x10^-19 = -2.179x10-18/n_i²

n_i² = 1.60x10¹ = 16.0

n = 4 = initial energy level