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Atoms appeared 22 times across 3 years — 2.5% of Physics. This question is from Bohr Model and Electron Energy.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 5 8 9 22

The ratio of the magnitude of the kinetic energy to the potential energy of an electron in the 5th excited state of a hydrogen atom is :

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

KE = -E PE = 2E

KE = (1)/(2) |PE|
Core Logic

In any allowed Bohr orbit (for any value of principal quantum number n), the relationship between kinetic energy (KE), potential energy (PE), and total energy (E) strictly obeys the virial theorem for a Coulombic force field.

|PE| = 2 × KE
Step 1: Formulate the Ratio

The question asks for the ratio of the magnitude of KE to the magnitude of PE.

KE|PE| = (1)/(2)

This ratio is independent of the orbit state. Even though it is the 5th excited state, the ratio remains (1)/(2).

Pattern Recognition

Energy relationships in Bohr orbits (and planetary motion): K = -E = -U/2. The state number (n) is given solely as a distractor.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Reference Study Guides

More Atoms Previous-Year Questions — Page 3

Q20 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Hydrogen Spectrum
The number of spectral lines emitted by atomic hydrogen that is in the 4th energy level, is:
  • A. 6
  • B. 0
  • C. 3
  • D. 1

Solution

Related Formula
N = (n(n - 1))/(2)

where n is the principal quantum number of the starting energy level.

Core Logic

For a hydrogen sample initially in the n = 4 level, the possible downward transition pathways to reach the ground state (n=1) are:

Hydrogen Spectrum Transitions diagram for Q20 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Hydrogen Spectrum Transitions diagram for Q20 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Using the combination formula for all transitions:

N = (4(4 - 1))/(2) = (4 × 3)/(2) = 6

Thus, 6 distinct spectral lines are generated.

Pattern Recognition

Think of it as counting combinations of transitions between levels: ₙC₂. For n=4, ₄C₂ = 6 lines.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q5 jee_main_2025_24_jan_morning Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom
During the transition of electron from state A to state C of a Bohr atom, the wavelength of emitted radiation is 2000 Å and it becomes 6000 Å when the electron jumps from state B to state C. Then the wavelength of the radiation emitted during the transition of electrons from state A to state B is :-
  • A. 3000 Å
  • B. 6000 Å
  • C. 4000 Å
  • D. 2000 Å

Solution

Related Formula

The energy of the emitted photon during an atomic transition between energy states is given by:

Δ E = (hc)/(λ)

where h is Planck's constant, c is speed of light, and λ is the photon wavelength.

Core Logic

Write equations for the energy transitions from the layout of levels

Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom diagram for Q5 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Bohr Model of the Hydrogen Atom diagram for Q5 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
:

EA - EC = hcλAC = hc2000 AA (i) EB - EC = hcλBC = hc6000 AA (ii)
Step 1: Finding Transition A to B

Subtracting equation (ii) from equation (i) gives the net transition energy from A to B :

EA - EB = (EA - EC) - (EB - EC) hcλAB = (hc)/(2000) - (hc)/(6000) 1λAB = (3 - 1)/(6000) = (2)/(6000) = (1)/(3000) λAB = 3000 AA
Pattern Recognition

Energy differences add linearly, which means their corresponding inverse wavelengths satisfy a parallel reciprocal subtraction rule: 1λAB = 1λAC - 1λBC.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q7 jee_main_2025_28_jan_evening Bohr Model
The frequency of revolution of the electron in Bohr's orbit varies with n , the principal quantum number as
  • A. (1)/(n)
  • B. 1n³
  • C. 1n⁴
  • D. (1)/(n²)

Solution

Related Formula

The orbital frequency of revolution f of an electron is inversely proportional to its time period T:

f = (1)/(T) = (v)/(2π r)

In Bohr's Atomic Model:

  • Velocity v ∝ (Z)/(n)
  • Radius r ∝ (n²)/(Z)
Core Logic

Substitute the proportional relationships of v and r into the frequency expression:

f ∝ (((1)/(n)))/(n²) f ∝ (1)/(n³)
Step 1: Verification

Thus, the frequency varies inversely with the cube of the principal quantum number: f ∝ (1)/(n³).

Pattern Recognition

Remember the sequence of powers of n in Bohr's model: radius expands as n², velocity drops as n⁻¹, angular momentum grows as n¹, and orbital time period or frequency changes as n³ or n⁻³ respectively.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q49 jee_main_2024_01_february_morning Hydrogen Spectrum
The minimum energy required by a hydrogen atom in ground state to emit radiation in Balmer series is nearly:
  • A. 1.5 eV
  • B. 13.6 eV
  • C. 1.9 eV
  • D. 12.1 eV

Solution

Related Formula

Bohr state energy level values:

Eₙ = -(13.6)/(n²)~eV

Transition excitation requirement:

Δ E = Efinal - Einitial
Core Logic

To emit radiation in the Balmer series, the hydrogen electron must first be excited to at least the n=3 shell. This allows it to jump down to n=2 and produce the first spectral line of the Balmer series.

Energy required to transition from ground state (n=1) to n=3:

E₁ = -13.6~eV E₃ = -(13.6)/(3²) = -1.51~eV
Step 1: Calculate Energy Gap
Δ E = E₃ - E₁ = -1.51 - (-13.6) = 12.09~eV ≈ 12.1~eV
Pattern Recognition

Balmer emissions always return down to n=2. Thus, the initial excitation starting from ground state n=1 must reach at least n=3 to create a valid Balmer transition.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

Q49 jee_main_2024_29_january_evening Alpha-particle Scattering and Rutherford's Nuclear Model
Given below are two statements: Statement I: Most of the mass of the atom and all its positive charge are concentrated in a tiny nucleus and the electrons revolve around it, is Rutherford's model. Statement II: An atom is a spherical cloud of positive charges with electrons embedded in it, is a special case of Rutherford's model. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate from the options given below:
  • A. Both statement I and statement II are false.
  • B. Statement I is false but statement II is true
  • C. Statement I is true but statement II is false.
  • D. Both statement I and statement II are true.

Solution

Core Logic
  • Statement I: According to Rutherford's planetary model of the atom, almost the entire mass of an atom and all of its positive charge are concentrated in a centrally located small volume called the nucleus, with electrons revolving around it. Thus, Statement I is true.
  • Statement II: Thomson's model of the atom (plum-pudding model) describes the atom as a spherical cloud of positive charge with electrons embedded in it. This model was proposed before Rutherford's nuclear model and is not a special case of Rutherford's model. Thus, Statement II is false.
Step 1: Conclusion

Therefore, Statement I is true but Statement II is false.

Pattern Recognition

Understand the evolutionary timeline of atomic models:

  • Thomson's Plum Pudding Model (spherical cloud with embedded electrons)
  • Rutherford's Nuclear Model (planetary orbital model with tiny centralized nucleus)
  • They are conceptually distinct, making Statement II false.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Physics: Atoms

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