Question

Which of the following transitions (in a hydrogen atom) represent emission of the shortest wavelength photon?Group of answer choices:n = 3 to n = 1n = 2 to n = 1n = 4 to n = 1n = 4 to n = 3n = 4 to n = 2

Answer 1

In this question , we will have to calculate the wavelength for each of the given answer choices, the shortest wavelength is the answer .

1. n = 3 to n = 1

we will use rydberg formula for wavelength : let represent wavelength.

1/ = RH * z^2 ( 1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2) ......{n1 = 1 , n2 = 3}

1/ = RH * z^2( 1/1-1/9)

1/ = 1.09x10^7*1 (8/9)

∴ =1.03x10^-7

2. n = 2 to n = 1

1/ = RH * z^2 ( 1/1^2 - 1/2^2)

=1.09x10^7*1 ( 3/4)

1/ =8175000

∴ =1.22x10^-7

3. n = 4 to n = 1

1/ = -10218750

∴ = -9.7x10^-8

4 . n = 4 to n = 3

1/ = -529861.1

∴ = -1.88x10 ^-6

5. n = 4 to n = 2

1/ = -4768750

∴ =-4.89x10^-7

• Finally, we can see that option C is the most negative value, ,∴, = -9.7x10^-8