MCQEasyJEE 2023de Broglie Relation

JEE Physics 2023 Question with Solution

If the radius of the first orbit of hydrogen atom is a0a_0, then de Broglie’s wavelength of electron in the 3rd3^{\text{rd}} orbit is:

  • A

    πa0/6\pi a_0/6

  • B

    πa0/3\pi a_0/3

  • C

    6πa06\pi a_0

  • D

    3πa03\pi a_0

Answer

Correct answer:C

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Radius of the first orbit is a0a_0. We need the de Broglie wavelength of the electron in the 3rd3^{\text{rd}} orbit.

Find: de Broglie wavelength in the n=3n=3 orbit.

Using the relation shown in the solution:

λ=2πrn\lambda = \frac{2\pi r}{n}

For hydrogen atom, the radius of the nthn^{\text{th}} orbit is:

rn=a0n2r_n = a_0 n^2

Substituting this into the wavelength expression:

λ=2πa0n2n\lambda = \frac{2\pi a_0 n^2}{n} λ=2πa0n\lambda = 2\pi a_0 n

For the 3rd3^{\text{rd}} orbit, n=3n=3:

λ=2πa0×3=6πa0\lambda = 2\pi a_0 \times 3 = 6\pi a_0

Therefore, the de Broglie wavelength is 6πa06\pi a_0. The correct option is C.

Using de Broglie relation and Bohr model

Given: The first Bohr orbit radius is a0a_0.

Find: de Broglie wavelength of the electron in the 3rd3^{\text{rd}} orbit.

From de Broglie relation:

λ=hp\lambda = \frac{h}{p}

For an electron in the nthn^{\text{th}} Bohr orbit, the momentum is:

p=mv=nh2πrp = mv = \frac{nh}{2\pi r}

Therefore,

λ=hp=hnh2πr=2πrn\lambda = \frac{h}{p} = \frac{h}{\frac{nh}{2\pi r}} = \frac{2\pi r}{n}

For the third orbit,

r=32a0=9a0r = 3^2 a_0 = 9a_0

Now substitute r=9a0r = 9a_0 and n=3n=3:

λ=2π(9a0)3\lambda = \frac{2\pi (9a_0)}{3} λ=6πa0\lambda = 6\pi a_0

Therefore, the correct answer is 6πa06\pi a_0, so the correct option is C.

Common mistakes

  • Using the first-orbit radius a0a_0 directly for the third orbit is incorrect because the orbit radius changes with nn. Use rn=a0n2r_n = a_0 n^2, so for n=3n=3 the radius is 9a09a_0.

  • Forgetting the factor of nn in λ=2πrn\lambda = \frac{2\pi r}{n} leads to a wrong answer. The standing-wave condition must be applied for the nthn^{\text{th}} orbit, not for only one wavelength around the circumference.

  • Mapping the source option number incorrectly can cause an answer mismatch. Here the value 6πa06\pi a_0 appears as option (3), so the correct label is C, even though the solution text says option B.

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