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At high temperature hydrogen molecules split into hydrogen atoms: H2 → 2H. Consider a case where 1.00% of 1 mole of hydrogen molecules split into neutral atoms. How much energy is necessary to promote electrons in these hydrogen atoms from the state with n = 1 to the state with n = 2?

User Gaggina
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Answer: Energy required to promote electrons in hydrogen atoms from n=1 to n=2: 0.812 x 10^24 eV

Explanation: To explain it, we can start with the basics of hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen atoms have one electron, which orbits the nucleus in different energy levels. The lowest energy level is n = 1, and the next energy level is n = 2.

When we heat hydrogen gas, we provide energy to the hydrogen atoms. This energy can be used to excite the electrons to higher energy levels. If we provide enough energy, we can excite the electrons to the n = 2 energy level.

The energy required to excite an electron from n = 1 to n = 2 is 13.6 eV. This is a very specific amount of energy, and it is the same for all hydrogen atoms.

In the question, we are told that 1.00% of 1 mole of hydrogen molecules split into neutral atoms. This means that we have 6.022 x 10^21 hydrogen atoms.

To promote electrons in all of these hydrogen atoms from n = 1 to n = 2, we would need to provide a total energy of 6.022 x 10^21 hydrogen atoms x 13.6 eV/atom = 0.812 x 10^24 eV.

This is a very large amount of energy! It is equivalent to the energy of approximately 3.6 x 10^20 Joules, which is enough to power a city for several days.
User JJJohn
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