Question

Assume that a hydrogen atom's electron has been excited to the n = 8 level. How many wavelengths of light can be emitted as this excited atom loses energy?

Answer 1

Here is an example

Step-by-step explanation:

From n = 5 , the electron can drop to n =

4, 3, 2, 1. Thus, there will be 4

possibilities

Now, the electron that dropped to n = 4 can drop to n =3,2,1 This will give 3 possibilities

The electron at n = 3 can drop to n =2,1 This gives 2 possibilities

Finally, the electron at n = 2 can drop to n = 1 . This gives 1 possibility

Thus in total the number of ways in which the electron can de-excite is :

4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 10

10 different wavelengths of light can be emitted as the electron loses energy

from n = 5 level