Question

How many emissions are possible for an electron in the n=4 level as it goes to the ground state?

i) 3 emission
ii) Which electronic transition is the lowest energy?n=4>n=3
iii) Which electronic transition corresponds to the shortest wavelength emission?

Answer 1

An electron at the n=4 level has 3 possible emissions. The n=4 to n=3 transition is the lowest energy transition, while the n=4 to n=1 transition corresponds to the shortest wavelength emission.

Step-by-step explanation:

An electron in the n=4 level can transition to the n=1, n=2, or n=3 levels as it goes to the ground state. Hence, there are 3 possible emissions. The transition with the lowest energy is from n=4 to n=3.

The transition corresponding to the shortest wavelength emission is from n=4 to n=1, because energy and wavelength are inversely related in photon emissions and the n=4 to n=1 transition releases the highest energy.