General Chemistry I

Question

Calculate the energy change when an electron falls from the n =8 energy level to the n = 1 energy level in a hydrogen atom.

Answer 1

For the hydrogen atom...

∆E = R (1/n_f² - 1/n_i²)

∆E = change in energy

R = 2.179x10^-18 J

n_i = initial energy level = 8

n_f = final energy level = 1

∆E = 2.179x10^-18 J (1/64 - 1/1) = (2.179x10^-18 J) ( 0.984)

∆E = 2.14x10^-18 J