JEE Main · Physics ↓ Falling

Atoms appeared 22 times across 3 years — 2.5% of Physics. This question is from Bohr Model of Hydrogen Atom.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 5 8 9 22

When a hydrogen atom going from n = 2 to n = 1 emits a photon, its recoil speed is (x)/(5) ~m / s. Where x = _______. (Use: mass of hydrogen atom = 1.6 × 10⁻²⁷ ~kg)

Numerical Answer Type:
Enter a numerical value Answer: 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)

Hence, the recoil speed v is:

v = (Δ E)/(m c)

where Δ E is the energy difference between the electronic energy levels.

Core Logic

For a hydrogen transition from n = 2 to n = 1:

Δ E = E₂ - E₁ = -3.4 ~eV - (-13.6 ~eV) = 10.2 ~eV

Converting energy to Joules:

Δ E = 10.2 × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ ~J

Electronic transition energy level diagram from n=2 to n=1 for Q51
Electronic transition energy level diagram from n=2 to n=1 for Q51

Step 1: Compute Recoil Speed

Substituting given constant values:

v = 10.2 × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ ~J(1.6 × 10⁻²⁷ ~kg) × (3 × 10⁸ ~m/s)
Step 2: Simplify Arithmetic Fractions

Cancelling out the factor 1.6 from numerator and denominator:

v = 10.2 × 10⁻¹⁹3 × 10⁻¹⁹ = (10.2)/(3) = 3.4 ~m/s
Step 3: Solve for Variable x

Equating the computed speed to the given parameter form:

3.4 = (x)/(5) x = 3.4 × 5 = 17

Therefore, the value of x is 17.

Pattern Recognition

Always look for clean component cancellation matches prior to raw exponential expansion. In this problem, the value 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
Electronic transition energy level diagram from n=2 to n=1 for Q51

More Atoms Previous-Year Questions

Q38 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Alpha Particle Scattering
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 in SI units)
  • A. 2.95 × 10⁻¹⁴
  • B. 2.95 × 10⁻¹⁶
  • C. 3.85 × 10⁻¹⁶
  • D. 3.85 × 10⁻¹⁴

Solution

Related Formula
Kinitial = Uclosest approach K = 14π ε₀ ((2e)(Ze))/(r₀)
Core Logic

By energy conservation, the entire kinetic energy of the alpha particle gets converted to electrostatic potential energy at the distance of closest approach (r₀). Kᵢ + Uᵢ = Kf + Uf

Kᵢ + 0 = 0 + (1)/(4πε₀) ((2e)(79e))/(r₀)
Step 1: Convert Energy and Solve

Initial kinetic energy Kᵢ = 7.7 MeV = 7.7 × 10⁶ × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ J.

7.7 × 10⁶ × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ = 9 × 10⁹ × (2 × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹) × (79 × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹)r₀ r₀ = 9 × 10⁹ × 2 × 79 × (1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹)²7.7 × 10⁶ × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹ r₀ = 9 × 10⁹ × 158 × 1.6 × 10⁻¹⁹7.7 × 10⁶ r₀ = 2275.2 × 10⁻¹⁰7.7 × 10⁶ = 295.48 × 10⁻¹⁶ m ≈ 2.95 × 10⁻¹⁴ m
Pattern Recognition

Distance of closest approach problem: Simply equate initial Kinetic Energy (in Joules) to Potential Energy k(Z₁e)(Z₂e)/r₀. Alpha particle has charge 2e.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q41 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Bohr Model
The energy of an electron in an orbit of the Bohr's atom is -0.04E₀ eV where E₀ 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) is :
  • A. 2
  • B. 4
  • C. 5
  • D. 6

Solution

Related Formula
Eₙ = (E₀)/(n²) L = (nh)/(2π)
Core Logic

From Bohr's theory, the energy of an electron in the n-th orbit is inversely proportional to n²:

E = -(E₀)/(n²)

Equating this to the given energy:

-(E₀)/(n²) = -0.04 E₀ (1)/(n²) = 0.04 = (1)/(25) n² = 25 n = 5
Step 1: Final Conclusion

Bohr's quantization condition for angular momentum:

L = (nh)/(2π)

Rearranging for the required term:

(2π L)/(h) = n

Since n=5, the value is 5.

Pattern Recognition

The expression 2π L / h is a direct request for the principal quantum number n. Eₙ = E₁ / n² allows finding n instantly.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q32 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Hydrogen 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
  • B. 1550
  • C. 1217
  • D. 1784

Solution

Related Formula
(1)/(λ) = R ( (1)/(n₁²) - (1)/(n₂²) )
Core Logic

For smallest wavelength of Lyman series (n₁ = 1, n₂ = ∞):

1λL, min = R ((1)/(1²) - 0) R = (1)/(91) ~nm⁻¹

For largest wavelength of Balmer series (n₁ = 2, n₂ = 3):

1λB = R ((1)/(4) - (1)/(9)) = (1)/(91) × (5)/(36) λB = (91 × 36)/(5) = 655.2 ~nm

For largest wavelength of Paschen series (n₁ = 3, n₂ = 4):

1λP = R ((1)/(9) - (1)/(16)) = (1)/(91) × (7)/(144) λP = (91 × 144)/(7) = 1872 ~nm

Difference in wavelengths:

Δ λ = λP - λB = 1872 - 655.2 = 1216.8 ~nm ≈ 1217 ~nm
Step 1: Final Conclusion

The wavelength difference is approximately 1217 ~nm.

Pattern Recognition

Spectral lines: Smallest wavelength arrow n₂ = ∞. Largest wavelength arrow n₂ = n₁ + 1. Rydberg constant R = 1/λL,min. Substitute values into Balmer (2arrow 3) and Paschen (3arrow 4) equations.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q38 jee_main_2026_23_january_morning Hydrogen Spectrum
In hydrogen atom spectrum, (R arrow Rydberg's constant) A. the maximum wavelength of the radiation of Lyman series is (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) D. the minimum wavelength of Lyman series is (5)/(4R) Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
  • A. B, D Only
  • B. A, B and C Only
  • C. A, B and D Only
  • D. A, B Only

Solution

Related Formula
(1)/(λ) = R( 1n₁² - 1n₂²)
Core Logic

Assess each statement using the Rydberg formula. Max wavelength corresponds to min energy (transition from n₁+1 → n₁), and min wavelength corresponds to max energy (n₂ → ∞).

Step 1: Evaluate A and D (Lyman Series)

For Lyman series, n₁ = 1. Maximum wavelength (n₂ = 2):

1λ = R(1 - (1)/(4)) = (3R)/(4) λ = (4)/(3R)

Statement A is correct.

Minimum wavelength (n₂ = ∞):

1λ = R(1 - 0) = R λ = (1)/(R)

Statement D is incorrect.

Step 2: Evaluate B (Balmer Series)

Balmer series corresponds to transitions to n₁ = 2. These transitions primarily emit in the visible spectrum. Statement B is correct.

Step 3: Evaluate C (Paschen Series)

For Paschen series, n₁ = 3. Minimum wavelength (n₂ = ∞):

1λ = R((1)/(9) - 0) = (R)/(9) λ = (9)/(R)

Statement C is correct.

Step 4: Final Conclusion

Statements A, B, and C are correct.

Pattern Recognition

Sees: "minimum/maximum wavelength" → Max wavelength = adjacent orbital drop (n+1 to n). Min wavelength = drop from infinity (∞ to n).

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q32 jee_main_2026_24_january_morning Bohr Model
Two electrons are moving in orbits of two hydrogen like atoms with speeds 3 × 10⁵ m/s and 2.5 × 10⁵ m/s respectively. If the radii of these orbits are nearly same then the possible order of energy states are ____ respectively.
Bohr orbits speed and radius relations diagram
Mathematical proportionality of velocity and radius in Bohr's model.
  • A. 6 and 5
  • B. 9 and 8
  • C. 8 and 10
  • D. 10 and 12

Solution

Related Formula
v ∝ (Z)/(n) r ∝ (n²)/(Z)
Core Logic

From the proportionalities of speed and radius in the Bohr model:

r ∝ (n²)/(Z)

Since v ∝ (Z)/(n), we can substitute Z ∝ nv. This gives r ∝ (n²)/(nv) = (n)/(v).

Step 1: Ratio Analysis

If the radii are the same, then:

(n₁)/(v₁) = (n₂)/(v₂) (n₁)/(n₂) = (v₁)/(v₂) = (3 × 10⁵)/(2.5 × 10⁵) = (3)/(2.5) = (6)/(5)

Thus, the possible order of energy states (n) is 6 and 5.

Pattern Recognition

By coupling r and v dependencies on Z and n, the Z cancels out allowing a direct ratio linking radius, orbit number, and velocity.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

More Atoms Questions — jee_main_2024_29_jan_morning

Practice all Atoms previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)