Home Physics Atomic and Nuclear Physics Mix When the electron jumps from a level n = 4 t…
Physics Atomic and Nuclear Physics Mix Subjective Type
Published on: September 13, 2026

When the electron jumps from a level n = 4 to n = 1, the momentum of the recoiled hydrogen atom will be .

Share this question

For Instagram sharing, use “Apps” on mobile or copy the link.

Text Solution

Verified by Experts
The correct answer is:
A
Step 1: When an electron in a hydrogen atom transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one (in this case from n = 4 to n = 1), it emits a photon.
Step 2: The energy of the emitted photon can be calculated using the Rydberg formula:
$$ E = -13.6 \times \left(\frac{1}{n_f^2} - \frac{1}{n_i^2}\right) $$
where n_f = 1 and n_i = 4.
Step 3: Substituting the values:
$$ E = -13.6 \times \left(\frac{1}{1^2} - \frac{1}{4^2}\right) = -13.6 \times (1 - \frac{1}{16}) = -13.6 \times (\frac{15}{16}) = -12.75 ext{ eV} $$
Step 4: The momentum of a photon is given by the relation:
$$ p = \frac{E}{c} $$
where E is the energy of the photon and c is the speed of light (approximately $3 \times 10^8$ m/s).
Step 5: Therefore:
$$ p = \frac{12.75 \times 1.6 \times 10^{-19} \text{ J}}{3 \times 10^8} \approx 6.8 \times 10^{-27} \text{ kg m/s} $$
Step 6: By conservation of momentum, the recoiling hydrogen atom will have momentum equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the photon emitted.
Therefore, the momentum of the recoiled hydrogen atom will be approximately $6.8 \times 10^{-27} \text{ kg m/s}$.

Prepare Smarter with CGP Edu

Get practice questions, solutions, and test series in one place.

Write a Review

Share your experience with this question and solution.

Commentary

Send your comment, doubt, correction, or feedback to admin.

Student Reviews

What students say about this solution

No reviews yet. Be the first to write a review.

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

CG
CGP Question Assistant Question Bank + AI Help
Hi! Type your question or upload one screenshot. First I will search related questions from CGP Edu Question Bank. If none match, type YES and I will solve it with AI.
Upload only one screenshot at a time. Flow: Question Bank first → If not matched, type YES for AI solution.