Question

From a hydrogen discharge tube, only three photons are picked up. the energies of these three photons were 10.2, 12.1 and 1.9 eV. these photons are coming from

a. only one atoms
b. two atoms
c. three atoms
d, twoor more atoms

Answer 1

The photons with energies of 10.2, 12.1, and 1.9 eV likely come from electron transitions in hydrogen atoms, suggesting that the photons are emitted from two or more atoms or multiple transitions within the same atom.

The correct answer is (d) two or more atoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student's question revolves around understanding which atoms the photons are coming from, given the energies of the photons emitted from a hydrogen discharge tube. The energies provided are 10.2, 12.1, and 1.9 eV. In the context of Bohr's theory, photons emitted during electron transitions have specific energies corresponding to the difference in energy levels within the atom.

Based on this concept, since the energies of the photons are distinct, they are likely emitted as electrons transition down to lower energy levels from different excited states, suggesting that the correct option is either two or more different atoms or from the same atom but indicating multiple transitions. However, without additional information on the specific transitions that correspond to these energies, it cannot be unequivocally determined whether they originate from a single atom or multiple atoms.

Therefore, a prudent answer in this case is (d) two or more atoms.