According to the quantum-mechanical model for the hydrogen atom, which of the following transitions would produce light with longer wavelength: 3p to 2s or 4p to 2s? A) The 3p to 2s transition would produce light with longer wavelength. B) The 4p to 2s transition would produce light with longer wavelength.

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Chemistry

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31 January, 23:29

According to the quantum-mechanical model for the hydrogen atom, which of the following transitions would produce light with longer wavelength: 3p to 2s or 4p to 2s? A) The 3p to 2s transition would produce light with longer wavelength. B) The 4p to 2s transition would produce light with longer wavelength.

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Answers (1)

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Sierra Stevenson · Answer 1

A) The 3p to 2s transition would produce light with longer wavelength.

Explanation:

The bigger the difference between the states, the higher the energy The higher the energy is, the lower the wavelength is.

With the above information in mind, we see that the bigger the difference between the states is, the lower the wavelength is. Thus the longer wavelength would be in the smaller energy difference between the options, which is why the answer is from 3p to 2s.