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The orbital quantum number for the electron in a hydrogen atom is l=5. What is the smallest possible value (algebraically) for the total energy of this electron? Give your answer in electron volts.

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Final answer:

The smallest possible value for the total energy of an electron with l=5 in a hydrogen atom is -0.37778 eV.

Step-by-step explanation:

The smallest possible value for the total energy of an electron in a hydrogen atom can be found by using the energy formula for Bohr's model. The energy is given by:

E = -13.6 eV / n^2

where n is the principal quantum number. In this case, since l=5, the smallest possible value for the total energy is when n=6. Plugging this value into the energy formula, we get:

E = -13.6 eV / 6^2 = -0.37778 eV

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