Question

1)Five possible transitions for a hydrogen atom are listed below: Select whether the atom gains or loses energy for each transition.
a.
Loses Gains ni = 6; nf = 4
Loses Gains ni = 4; nf = 2
Loses Gains ni = 5; nf = 3
Loses Gains ni = 2; nf = 5
Loses Gains ni = 5; nf = 7
b. Find the transition where the atom gains the most energy. How much energy does the atom gain?
c. Find the transition which will emit the shortest wavelength photon. What is the energy of the photon of this transition

Answer 1

1) The atom gains energy if nf > ni

"i" signifies "initial" and "f" signified "final".

2) For a hydrogenic one-electron aton, the atom gains the most energy when
1/ni^2 - 1/nf^2 is largest.

3) To emit a photon, the atom must lose energy. For the shortest wavelength,
1/ni^2 -1/nf^2 is the most negative.

To compute the energy gain use the Rydberg relationship. If you don't know it, check it out at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rydberg_formula

Answer 2

Thank you for your timely help.