MCQEasyJEE 2023Bohr's Model & Hydrogen Spectrum

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

The energy levels of an atom is shown in figure. Which one of these transitions will result in the emission of a photon of wavelength 124.1nm124.1 \, \text{nm}?

Given (h=6.626×1034J sh = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{J s})

Energy level diagram with four horizontal levels at 0.0 eV, -2.2 eV, -5.2 eV, and -10.0 eV, and four downward transitions labeled A, B, C, and D between these levels.
  • A

    B

  • B

    A

  • C

    C

  • D

    D

Answer

Correct answer:D

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: The transition energies are ΔEA=2.2eV\Delta E_A = 2.2 \, \text{eV}, ΔEB=5.2eV\Delta E_B = 5.2 \, \text{eV}, ΔEC=3eV\Delta E_C = 3 \, \text{eV}, and ΔED=10eV\Delta E_D = 10 \, \text{eV}.

Find: Which transition emits a photon of wavelength 124.1nm124.1 \, \text{nm}.

Use

λ=hcΔE\lambda = \frac{hc}{\Delta E}

For the listed transitions:

λA=12412.2nm=564nm\lambda_A = \frac{1241}{2.2} \, \text{nm} = 564 \, \text{nm} λB=12415.2nm=238.65nm\lambda_B = \frac{1241}{5.2} \, \text{nm} = 238.65 \, \text{nm} λC=12413nm=413.66nm\lambda_C = \frac{1241}{3} \, \text{nm} = 413.66 \, \text{nm} λD=124110nm=124.1nm\lambda_D = \frac{1241}{10} \, \text{nm} = 124.1 \, \text{nm}

This matches the given wavelength.

Therefore, the correct transition is D.

Using Planck relation explicitly

Given: h=6.626×1034J sh = 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{J s}, c=3×108m/sc = 3 \times 10^8 \, \text{m/s} and for transition D, ΔED=10eV\Delta E_D = 10 \, \text{eV}.

Find: Whether this gives 124.1nm124.1 \, \text{nm}.

Using

λ=hcΔE\lambda = \frac{hc}{\Delta E}

Substitute ΔE=10×1.6×1019J\Delta E = 10 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \, \text{J}:

λD=6.62×1034×3×10810×1.6×1019m\lambda_D = \frac{6.62 \times 10^{-34} \times 3 \times 10^8}{10 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19}} \, \text{m}

This gives

λD=124.1nm\lambda_D = 124.1 \, \text{nm}

Hence the emitted photon corresponds to transition D.

The solution also contains a discrepancy where one heading says the correct option is A, but the worked values clearly show the correct transition is D. Since the option list is arranged as A: B, B: A, C: C, D: D, the correct option is D.

Common mistakes

  • Using λ=ΔEhc\lambda = \frac{\Delta E}{hc} instead of λ=hcΔE\lambda = \frac{hc}{\Delta E}. This reverses the proportionality and gives an incorrect wavelength. Always start from the photon energy relation E=hcλE = \frac{hc}{\lambda}.

  • Comparing the given wavelength directly with energy values in eV. Wavelength and energy are different physical quantities. First convert using λ=hcΔE\lambda = \frac{hc}{\Delta E} or the shortcut λ(nm)=1241ΔE(eV)\lambda(\text{nm}) = \frac{1241}{\Delta E(\text{eV})}.

  • Ignoring the option-label remapping. The raw options are arranged as B, A, C, D, so after finding transition D, the marked answer must be the option containing D, not the first listed transition mentioned in the solution heading.

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