378 Concepts of Physics

Because of its directional properties, lasers are sound data and a very large number of songs, speeches
used in surveying. Another use of laser is to align tools etc. can be stored on a CD which is much smaller than
and equipment in industry and scientific research. a traditional record. Also, the playback of the music is
Laser light is sent to the moon from where it is more ‘true’ than traditional systems and almost
reflected back to the earth without much loss of without any distortion. Using lasers, video images can
intensity. Thus, points on the moon’s surface may be also be stored on discs which can be played back using
monitored from the earth using lasers. Laser has a laser disc player and a TV. Since the combination of
numerous military applications. digital electronic techniques and CD allows us to store
An interesting application of lasers is to produce a large amount of data in a small volume, books of
holograms, which record a 3 D image of an object. When large volume like dictionaries and encyclopedias, are
the hologram is viewed, again with a laser, the same 3 D now available on CDs. This technique is now being
perception is achieved as it is with the actual object. used in computers for data retrieval and storage.
In compact disc (CD) audio systems, a laser beam Lasers are used in laser printers. The present book
is used in place of the phonographic needle. Sound is was also prepared with the help of a laser printer.
recorded on the compact disc using digital electronic Incredible new applications are being created everyday
techniques. This results in great compression of the using lasers.

Worked Out Examples

First Bohr radius a0 = 53 pm, energy of hydrogen atom 3. Calculate the two highest wavelengths of the radiation
in ground state = − 13.6 eV, Planck constant emitted when hydrogen atoms make transitions from
.
h = 4 14 × 10
− 15 8 −1
eVs, speed of light = 3 × 10 m s . higher states to n = 2 states.
Solution : The highest wavelength corresponds to the
++
1. Find the radius of Li ions in its ground state assuming lowest energy of transition. This will be the case for the
Bohr’s model to be valid. transition n = 3 to n = 2. The second highest wavelength
Solution : For hydrogen-like ions, the radius of the nth corresponds to the transition n = 4 to n = 2.
orbit is E1
2
n a0 The energy of the state n is En = 2 ⋅
an = ⋅ n
Z
13.6 eV
++
For Li , Z = 3 and in ground state n = 1. The radius is Thus, E2 = − = −3.4 eV
4
53 pm
a1 = ≈ 18 pm. 13.6 eV
3 E3 = − = −1.5 eV
9
2. A particular hydrogen-like ion emits radiation of 13.6 eV
and E4 = − = −0.85 eV.
frequency 2.467 × 10 Hz when it makes transition from
15
16
n = 2 to n = 1. What will be the frequency of the radiation hc
The highest wavelength is λ1 =
emitted in a transition from n = 3 to n = 1 ? ∆E
Solution : The frequency of radiation emitted is given by 1242 eVnm
= = 654 nm.
c 1 1 (3.4 eV − 1.5 eV)
ν = = K  2 − 2 ⋅
λ n n The second highest wavelength is
 1 2

. 15 1 1 1242 eVnm
Thus, 2 467 × 10 Hz = K  2 − 2  λ2 = = 487 nm.
1 2  (3.4 eV − 0.85 eV)
4 . 15
or, K = × 2 467 × 10 Hz.
3
4. What is the wavelength of the radiation emitted when
The frequency of the radiation emitted in the transition
the electron in a hydrogen atom jumps from n = ∞ to
n = 3 to n = 1 is
n=2?
1 1
ν′ = K  2 − 2 
1 3 Solution : The energy of n = 2 state is
 
=
8 8 4
K = × × 2.467 × 10 Hz
15 −13.6 eV
9 9 3 E2 = = −3.4 eV.
4
= 2.92 × 10 Hz.
15
The energy of n = ∞ state is zero.
 Bohr’s Model and Physics of the Atom 379

The wavelength emitted in the given transition is Similarly, the wavelength emitted in the transition
hc n = 3 to n = 2 is 654 nm and that emitted in the
λ=
∆E transition n = 2 to n = 1 is 122 nm. The wavelengths
1242 eV nm present in the radiation are, therefore, 103 nm, 122 nm
= = 365 nm.
3.4 eV and 654 nm.

5. (a) Find the wavelength of the radiation required to excite 7. How many different wavelengths may be observed in the
++
the electron in Li from the first to the third Bohr orbit. spectrum from a hydrogen sample if the atoms are excited
(b) How many spectral lines are observed in the emission to states with principal quantum number n ?
spectrum of the above excited system ? Solution : From the nth state, the atom may go to
2
Solution : (a) The energy in the first orbit = E1 = Z E0 (n − 1)th state, … , 2nd state or 1st state. So there are
where E0 = −13.6 eV is the energy of a hydrogen atom (n − 1) possible transitions starting from the nth state.
++
in ground state. Thus for Li , The atoms reaching (n − 1)th state may make (n − 2)
E1 = 9E0 = 9 × (−13.6 eV). different transitions. Similarly for other lower states.
The total number of possible transitions is
The energy in the third orbit is
(n − 1) + (n − 2) + (n − 3) + … 2 + 1
E1 E1
E3 = 2 = = −13.6 eV. n(n − 1)
n 9 = ⋅
2
Thus, E3 − E1 = 8 × 13.6 eV = 108.8 eV.
++
The wavelength of radiation required to excite Li from 8. Monochromatic radiation of wavelength λ is incident on
the first orbit to the third orbit is given by a hydrogen sample in ground state. Hydrogen atoms
hc absorb a fraction of light and subsequently emit radiation
= E3 − E1 of six different wavelengths. Find the value of λ.
λ
hc Solution : As the hydrogen atoms emit radiation of six
or, λ= different wavelengths, some of them must have been
E3 − E1
excited to n = 4. The energy in n = 4 state is
1242 eV nm
= ≈ 11.4 nm.
108.8 eV E1 13.6 eV
E4 = 2 =− = − 0.85 eV.
(b) The spectral lines emitted are due to the transitions 4 16
n = 3 → n = 2, n = 3 → n = 1 and n = 2 → n = 1. Thus, The energy needed to take a hydrogen atom from its
there will be three spectral lines in the spectrum. ground state to n = 4 is
13.6 eV − 0.85 eV = 12.75 eV.
6. Find the wavelengths present in the radiation emitted
when hydrogen atoms excited to n = 3 states return to The photons of the incident radiation should have
their ground states. 12.75 eV of energy. So
Solution : A hydrogen atom may return directly to the hc
= 12.75 eV
ground state or it may go to n = 2 and from there to the λ
ground state. Thus, wavelengths corresponding to hc
or, λ=
n = 3 → n = 1, n = 3 → n = 2 and n = 2 → n = 1 are 12.75 eV
present in the radiation. 1242 eV nm
= = 97.5 nm.
The energies in n = 1, 2 and 3 states are 12.75 eV

E1 = −13.6 eV 9. The energy needed to detach the electron of a

13.6 hydrogen-like ion in ground state is 4 rydberg. (a) What
E2 = − eV = −3.4 eV is the wavelength of the radiation emitted when the
4
electron jumps from the first excited state to the ground
13.6 state ? (b) What is the radius of the first orbit for this
and E3 = − eV = −1.5 eV.
9 atom ?
The wavelength emitted in the transition n = 3 to the Solution : (a) In energy units, 1 rydberg = 13.6 eV. The
ground state is energy needed to detach the electron is 4 × 13.6 eV. The
hc energy in the ground state is, therefore,
λ= E1 = − 4 × 13.6 eV. The energy of the first excited state
∆E
E1
=
1242 eV nm
= 103 nm. (n = 2) is E2 = = − 13.6 eV. The energy difference is
4
13.6 eV − 1.5 eV
E2 – E1 = 3 × 13.6 eV = 40.8 eV. The wavelength of the
380 Concepts of Physics

radiation emitted is Solution : We have

hc mv
2
e
2
λ= =
∆E r 4πε0 r
2

1242 eV nm
= 30.4 nm.
2
= e
40.8 eV
2
or, v r= ⋅ … (i)
4πε0 m
(b) The energy of a hydrogen-like ion in ground state is
From Bohr’s quantization rule, in ground state,
E = Z E0 where Z = atomic number and E0 = – 13.6 eV.
2

h
a0 vr = ⋅ … (ii)
Thus, Z = 2. The radius of the first orbit is where 2πm
Z
a0 = 53 pm. Thus, From (i) and (ii),
2
53 pm e
r= = 26.5 pm. v= … (iii)
2 2ε0 h
10. A hydrogen sample is prepared in a particular excited state ε0 h
2

A. Photons of energy 2.55 eV get absorbed into the sample and r= 2 ⋅ … (iv)
πme
to take some of the electrons to a further excited state B.
As the electron moves along a circle, it crosses any point
Find the quantum numbers of the states A and B.
v
Solution : The allowed energies of hydrogen atoms are
on the circle times per unit time. The charge crossing
2πr
E1 = −13.6 eV per unit time, that is the current, is i =
ev
⋅ The magnetic
2πr
E = −3.4 eV
2 field at the centre due to this circular current is
E3 = −1.5 eV µ0 i µ0 ev
B= = ⋅
E = −0.85 eV 2r 4πr 2
4
From (iii) and (iv),
E5 = −0.54 eV.
µ0 e e 2 2
π m e
2 4

We see that a difference of 2.55 eV can only be absorbed B= ×

4π 2ε0 h 2
ε0 h
4
in transition n = 2 to n = 4. So the state A has quantum
7 2
number 2 and the state B has quantum number 4. µ0 e πm
= 3 5 ⋅
8ε h 0
11. (a) Find the maximum wavelength λ0 of light which can
ionize a hydrogen atom in its ground state. (b) Light of 13. A lithium atom has three electrons. Assume the following
wavelength λ0 is incident on a hydrogen atom which is simple picture of the atom. Two electrons move close to
in its first excited state. Find the kinetic energy of the the nucleus making up a spherical cloud around it and
electron coming out. the third moves outside this cloud in a circular orbit.
Bohr’s model can be used for the motion of this third
Solution : (a) To ionize a hydrogen atom in ground state,
electron but n = 1 states are not available to it. Calculate
a minimum of 13.6 eV energy should be given to it. A the ionization energy of lithium in ground state using
photon of light should have this much of energy in order the above picture.
to ionize a hydrogen atom. Thus, Solution : In this picture, the third electron moves in the
hc
= 13.6 eV field of a total charge + 3e – 2e = + e. Thus, the energies
λ0 are the same as that of hydrogen atoms. The lowest
1242 eV nm
or, λ0 = = 91.3 nm. energy is
13.6 eV
E1 −13.6 eV
(b) The energy of the hydrogen atom in its first excited E2 = = = −3.4 eV.
4 4
13.6 eV
state is − = − 3.4 eV. Thus, 3.4 eV of energy is Thus, the ionization energy of the atom in this picture
4
is 3.4 eV.
needed to take the electron out of the atom. The energy
of a photon of the light of wavelength λ0 is 13.6 eV. Thus,
14. A particle known as µ-meson, has a charge equal to that
the electron coming out will have a kinetic energy
of an electron and mass 208 times the mass of the
13.6 eV – 3.4 eV = 10.2 eV.
electron. It moves in a circular orbit around a nucleus
12. Derive an expression for the magnetic field at the site of of charge +3 e. Take the mass of the nucleus to be
the nucleus in a hydrogen atom due to the circular infinite. Assuming that the Bohr’s model is applicable to
motion of the electron. Assume that the atom is in its this system, (a) derive an expression for the radius of the
ground state and give the answer in terms of nth Bohr orbit, (b) find the value of n for which the
fundamental constants. radius of the orbit is approximately the same as that of
 Bohr’s Model and Physics of the Atom 381

the first Bohr orbit for a hydrogen atom and (c) find the The wavelength emitted is
wavelength of the radiation emitted when the µ-meson hc
λ=
jumps from the third orbit to the first orbit. ∆E
Solution : (a) We have, 1242 eV nm
= = 55 pm.
2 2 22630.4 eV
mv Ze
= 2
r 4πε0 r 15. Find the wavelengths in a hydrogen spectrum between
2
2 Ze the range 500 nm to 700 nm.
or, v r= ⋅ … (i)
4πε0m Solution : The energy of a photon of wavelength 500 nm is
hc 1242 eV nm
The quantization rule is vr =
nh
⋅ = = 2.44 eV.
2πm λ 500 nm

(vr)
2
2 2
n h 4πε0 m The energy of a photon of wavelength 700 nm is
The radius is r = =
2 2
4π m
2 2
hc 1242 eV nm
v r Ze = = 1.77 eV.
2 2 λ 700 nm
n h ε0
= 2 ⋅ … (ii) The energy difference between the states involved in the
Zπme
transition should, therefore, be between 1.77 eV and
For the given system, Z = 3 and m = 208 me . 2.44 eV.
2 2
n h ε0
Thus rµ = 2 ⋅
624πme e
(b) From (ii), the radius of the first Bohr orbit for the
hydrogen atom is
2
h ε0 Figure 43-W1
rh = 2 ⋅
πme e Figure (43-W1) shows some of the energies of hydrogen
For rµ = rh, states. It is clear that only those transitions which end
2 2 2 at n = 2 may emit photons of energy between 1.77 eV
n h ε0 h ε0
2 = 2
and 2.44 eV. Out of these only n = 3 → n = 2 falls in
624πme e πme e the proper range. The energy of the photon emitted in
or,
2
n = 624 the transition n = 3 to n = 2 is ∆E = (3.4 – 1.5) eV
= 1.9 eV. The wavelength is
or, n ≈ 25.
hc
(c) From (i), the kinetic energy of the atom is λ=
∆E
2 2
mv Ze 1242 eV nm
= = = 654 nm.
2 8πε0 r 1.9 eV
2
Ze
and the potential energy is − ⋅
4πε0 r 16. A beam of ultraviolet radiation having wavelength
Ze
2 between 100 nm and 200 nm is incident on a sample of
The total energy is En = − ⋅ atomic hydrogen gas. Assuming that the atoms are in
8πε0 r
ground state, which wavelengths will have low intensity
Using (ii),
4
in the transmitted beam ? If the energy of a photon is
2
Z πme
4
9 × 208 me e equal to the difference between the energies of an excited
En = − = −
2 2
8πε0 n h
2 2
8ε0 n h
2 2
state and the ground state, it has large probability of
being absorbed by an atom in the ground state.
1872  me e 
4

= 2 − 2 2  ⋅ … (iii) Solution : The energy o f a pho to n c o rrespo nding to

n  8ε0 h  λ = 100 nm is
 m e4 1242 eV nm
e
But − 2 2  is the ground state energy of hydrogen = 12.42 eV
100 nm
 8ε0 h 
and that corresponding to λ = 200 nm is 6.21 eV.
atom and hence is equal to –13.6 eV.
The energy needed to take the atom from the ground
1872 − 25459.2 eV
From (iii), En = − 2 × 13.6 eV = 2 ⋅ state to the first excited state is
n n
E − E = 13.6 eV − 3.4 eV = 10.2 eV,
2 1
E
Thus, E1 = − 25459.2 eV and E3 = 1 = − 2828.8 eV. The to the second excited state is
9
energy difference is E3 – E1 = 22630.4 eV. E − E = 13.6 eV − 1.5 eV = 12.1 eV,
3 1
382 Concepts of Physics

to the third excited state is is 10.2 eV. Thus, the minimum kinetic energy of the
E − E = 13.6 eV − 0.85 eV = 12.75 eV, etc.
4 1
neutron needed for an inelastic collision is
1
Thus, 10.2 eV photons and 12.1 eV photons have large mvmin = 2 × 10.2 eV = 20.4 eV.
2

2
probability of being absorbed from the given range
6.21 eV to 12.42 eV. The corresponding wavelengths are
18. Light corresponding to the transition n = 4 to n = 2 in
1242 eV nm hydrogen atoms falls on cesium metal (work function
λ1 = = 122 nm
10.2 eV = 1.9 eV). Find the maximum kinetic energy of the
1242 eV nm photoelectrons emitted.
and λ2 = = 103 nm.
12.1 eV Solution : The energy of the photons emitted in transition
These wavelengths will have low intensity in the n = 4 to n = 2 is
transmitted beam.  1 1
hν = 13.6 eV  2 − 2  = 2.55 eV.
2 4 
17. A neutron moving with speed v makes a head-on collision The maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons is
with a hydrogen atom in ground state kept at rest. Find
the minimum kinetic energy of the neutron for which = 2.55 eV – 1.9 eV = 0.65 eV.
inelastic (completely or partially) collision may take
place. The mass of neutron ≈ mass of hydrogen 19. A small particle of mass m moves in such a way that
= 1.67 × 10 1
− 27 2 2 2
kg. the potential energy U = m ω r where ω is a constant
2
Solution : Suppose the neutron and the hydrogen atom and r is the distance of the particle from the origin.
move at speeds v1 and v2 after the collision. The collision Assuming Bohr’s model of quantization of angular
will be inelastic if a part of the kinetic energy is used momentum and circular orbits, show that radius of the
to excite the atom. Suppose an energy ∆E is used in this nth allowed orbit is proportional to √n.
way. Using conservation of linear momentum and
Solution : The force at a distance r is
energy,
dU 2
mv = mv1 + mv2 … (i) F=− = − mω r. … (i)
dr
1 2 1 2 1 2
and mv = mv1 + mv2 + ∆ E. … (ii) Suppose the particle moves along a circle of radius r.
2 2 2 2
2 2 2 The net force on it should be mv /r along the radius.
From (i), v = v1 + v2 + 2 v1v2.
Comparing with (i),
2 2 2 2∆E
From (ii), v = v1 + v2 + ⋅ mv
2
2
m = mω r
r
2∆E
Thus, 2 v1v2 = ⋅ or, v = ωr. … (ii)
m
4∆E The quantization of angular momentum gives
2 2 2
Hence, (v1 − v2) = (v1 + v2) − 4 v1v2 = v − ⋅ nh
m mvr =
As v1 − v2 must be real, 2π
nh
2 4∆E or, v= ⋅ … (iii)
v − ≥0 2πmr
m
1 From (ii) and (iii),
2
or, mv > 2∆E. 1/2
2  nh 
r=  ⋅
The minimum energy that can be absorbed by the  2πmω 
hydrogen atom in ground state to go in an excited state Thus, the radius of the nth orbit is proportional to √n.

QUESTIONS FOR SHORT ANSWER

1. How many wavelengths are emitted by atomic hydrogen 3. Which wavelengths will be emitted by a sample of
in visible range (380 nm–780 nm) ? In the range 50 nm atomic hydrogen gas (in ground state) if electrons of
to 100 nm ? energy 12.2 eV collide with the atoms of the gas ?
+
2. The first excited energy of a He ion is the same as the 4. When white radiation is passed through a sample of
hydrogen gas at room temperature, absorption lines are
ground state energy of hydrogen. Is it always true that
observed in Lyman series only. Explain.
one of the energies of any hydrogen-like ion will be the
same as the ground state energy of a hydrogen atom ?