When a hydrogen atom going from n = 2$n = 2$ to n = 1$n = 1$ emits a photon, its recoil speed is (x)/(5) ~m / s$\frac{x}{5} \mathrm{~m / s}$. Where x =$x =$ _______. (Use: mass of hydrogen atom = 1.6 × 10⁻²⁷ ~kg$= 1.6 \times 10^{-27} \mathrm{~kg}$)
Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical valueAnswer: 17 to 17+4 marks
Solution & Explanation
Related Formula
By conservation of linear momentum, the momentum of the recoiling hydrogen atom matches the momentum of the emitted photon:
patom = pphoton m v = (Δ E)/(c)$$p_{\text{atom}} = p_{\text{photon}} \implies m v = \frac{\Delta E}{c}$$
Hence, the recoil speed v$v$ is:
v = (Δ E)/(m c)$$v = \frac{\Delta E}{m c}$$
where Δ E$\Delta E$ is the energy difference between the electronic energy levels.
Core Logic
For a hydrogen transition from n = 2$n = 2$ to n = 1$n = 1$:
Equating the computed speed to the given parameter form:
3.4 = (x)/(5) x = 3.4 × 5 = 17$$3.4 = \frac{x}{5} \implies x = 3.4 \times 5 = 17$$
Therefore, the value of x$x$ is 17$17$.
Pattern Recognition
Always look for clean component cancellation matches prior to raw exponential expansion. In this problem, the value 1.6$1.6$ in the electron charge value cancels with the structural atomic mass constant value perfectly.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Atoms
Electronic transition energy level diagram from n=2 to n=1 for Q51
If an alpha particle with energy 7.7 MeV is bombarded on a thin gold foil, the closest distance from nucleus it can reach is ____ m.
(Atomic number of gold = 79 and 14π in₀ = 9 × 10⁹$\frac{1}{4\pi \in_{0}} = 9 \times 10^{9}$ in SI units)
By energy conservation, the entire kinetic energy of the alpha particle gets converted to electrostatic potential energy at the distance of closest approach (r₀$r_0$).
Kᵢ + Uᵢ = Kf + Uf$K_i + U_i = K_f + U_f$
Distance of closest approach problem: Simply equate initial Kinetic Energy (in Joules) to Potential Energy k(Z₁e)(Z₂e)/r₀$k(Z_1e)(Z_2e)/r_0$. Alpha particle has charge 2e$2e$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Atoms
Q41jee_main_2026_21_jan_eveningBohr Model
The energy of an electron in an orbit of the Bohr's atom is -0.04E₀ eV$-0.04E_{0} \text{ eV}$ where E₀$E_{0}$ is the ground state energy. If L is the angular momentum of the electron in this orbit and h is the Planck's constant, then (2π L)/(h)$\frac{2\pi L}{h}$ is :
Bohr's quantization condition for angular momentum:
L = (nh)/(2π)$$L = \frac{nh}{2\pi}$$
Rearranging for the required term:
(2π L)/(h) = n$$\frac{2\pi L}{h} = n$$
Since n=5$n=5$, the value is 5$5$.
Pattern Recognition
The expression 2π L / h$2\pi L / h$ is a direct request for the principal quantum number n$n$. Eₙ = E₁ / n²$E_n = E_1 / n^2$ allows finding n$n$ instantly.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Atoms
Q32jee_main_2026_22_january_eveningHydrogen Spectrum and Spectral Series
The smallest wavelength of Lyman series is 91 nm. The difference between the largest wavelengths of Paschen and Balmer series is nearly ____ nm.
A.1875$1875$
B.1550$1550$
C.1217$1217$
D.1784$1784$
Solution
Related Formula
(1)/(λ) = R ( (1)/(n₁²) - (1)/(n₂²) )$$\frac{1}{\lambda} = R \left( \frac{1}{n_1^2} - \frac{1}{n_2^2} \right)$$
Core Logic
For smallest wavelength of Lyman series (n₁ = 1, n₂ = ∞$n_1 = 1, n_2 = \infty$):
1λL, min = R ((1)/(1²) - 0) R = (1)/(91) ~nm⁻¹$$\frac{1}{\lambda_{L, \text{min}}} = R \left(\frac{1}{1^2} - 0\right) \implies R = \frac{1}{91} \mathrm{~nm}^{-1}$$
For largest wavelength of Balmer series (n₁ = 2, n₂ = 3$n_1 = 2, n_2 = 3$):
In hydrogen atom spectrum, (R arrow$R \rightarrow$ Rydberg's constant)
A. the maximum wavelength of the radiation of Lyman series is (4)/(3R)$\frac{4}{3R}$
B. the Balmer series lies in the visible region of the spectrum
C. the minimum wavelength of the radiation of Paschen series is (9)/(R)$\frac{9}{R}$
D. the minimum wavelength of Lyman series is (5)/(4R)$\frac{5}{4R}$
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Assess each statement using the Rydberg formula. Max wavelength corresponds to min energy (transition from n₁+1 → n₁$n_{1}+1 \to n_{1}$), and min wavelength corresponds to max energy (n₂ → ∞$n_{2} \to \infty$).
Step 1: Evaluate A and D (Lyman Series)
For Lyman series, n₁ = 1$n_{1} = 1$.
Maximum wavelength (n₂ = 2$n_{2} = 2$):
Sees: "minimum/maximum wavelength" → Max wavelength = adjacent orbital drop (n+1$n+1$ to n$n$). Min wavelength = drop from infinity (∞$\infty$ to n$n$).
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Atoms
Q32jee_main_2026_24_january_morningBohr Model
Two electrons are moving in orbits of two hydrogen like atoms with speeds 3 × 10⁵ m/s$3 \times 10^{5} \text{ m/s}$ and 2.5 × 10⁵ m/s$2.5 \times 10^{5} \text{ m/s}$ respectively. If the radii of these orbits are nearly same then the possible order of energy states are ____ respectively.
Mathematical proportionality of velocity and radius in Bohr's model.
A.6 and 5$\text{6 and 5}$
B.9 and 8$\text{9 and 8}$
C.8 and 10$\text{8 and 10}$
D.10 and 12$\text{10 and 12}$
Solution
Related Formula
v ∝ (Z)/(n)$$v \propto \frac{Z}{n}$$r ∝ (n²)/(Z)$$r \propto \frac{n^2}{Z}$$
Core Logic
From the proportionalities of speed and radius in the Bohr model:
r ∝ (n²)/(Z)$$r \propto \frac{n^2}{Z}$$
Since v ∝ (Z)/(n)$v \propto \frac{Z}{n}$, we can substitute Z ∝ nv$Z \propto nv$.
This gives r ∝ (n²)/(nv) = (n)/(v)$r \propto \frac{n^2}{nv} = \frac{n}{v}$.
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