Related Formula
The energy of an electron in the n$n$-th state of a hydrogen atom is:
Eₙ = -(13.6)/(n²) eV$$E_n = -\frac{13.6}{n^2}\text{ eV}$$
Core Logic
At T = 0 K$T = 0\text{ K}$, all hydrogen atoms are in their ground state (n = 1$n = 1$).
To observe any lines in the Balmer series emission spectrum:
- The emission lines must result from a transition terminating in the state n = 2$n = 2$.
- This requires the hydrogen electron to first be excited to at least the state n = 3$n = 3$.
Thus, the bombarding electrons must have enough kinetic energy to excite the ground-state electron (n = 1$n = 1$) to the n = 3$n = 3$ state.
Step 1: Calculate the Required Energy and Potential
The required energy difference is:
Δ E = E₃ - E₁ = -(13.6)/(3²) - (-(13.6)/(1²)) eV$$\Delta E = E_3 - E_1 = -\frac{13.6}{3^2} - \left(-\frac{13.6}{1^2}\right)\text{ eV}$$
Δ E = 13.6 (1 - (1)/(9)) eV = 13.6 × (8)/(9) eV ≈ 12.09 eV$$\Delta E = 13.6 \left(1 - \frac{1}{9}\right)\text{ eV} = 13.6 \times \frac{8}{9}\text{ eV} \approx 12.09\text{ eV}$$
Since the excitation energy is provided by electrons accelerated through potential V$V$, the minimum potential difference required is:
V ≈ 12.09 V ≈ 12.1 V$$V \approx 12.09\text{ V} \approx 12.1\text{ V}$$
Step 2: Solve for Alpha
Comparing to the given form (α)/(10) V$\frac{\alpha}{10}\text{ V}$:
12.1 = (α)/(10) α = 121$$12.1 = \frac{\alpha}{10} \implies \alpha = 121$$
Pattern Recognition
Balmer series emission requires excitation of the electron to at least n=3$n=3$. Ground state n=1$n=1$ to n=3$n=3$ excitation energy is 12.09 eV ≈ 12.1 eV$12.09\text{ eV} \approx 12.1\text{ eV}$, matching α = 121$\alpha = 121$ when multiplied by 10$10$.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Physics: Atoms