Published by:
CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
Consider ionization energy of a hydrogen atom as W i . Which of the following: electrons, hydrogen ion and helium ion, is more effective in ionizing the hydrogen atom?
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
B
Step 1: Understand that ionization energy (i) refers to the energy required to remove an electron from an atom. In this case, we want to determine which of the following particles is most effective at ionizing a hydrogen atom: an electron, a hydrogen ion, or a helium ion.
Step 2: Analyze the particles:
- **Electron**: An incoming electron will not effectively ionize the hydrogen atom unless it has sufficient energy (greater than W i) to overcome the ionization energy of the hydrogen atom. Thus, its efficacy depends on kinetic energy.
- **Hydrogen ion (H+)**: A hydrogen ion has lost its electron and has a positive charge. When it approaches a neutral hydrogen atom, it experiences a strong electrostatic attraction due to its positive charge and can effectively ionize the hydrogen atom by pulling its electron away.
- **Helium ion (He+)**: A helium ion has two protons and one electron. Thus, it is also positively charged and can effectively ionize a hydrogen atom through its strong positive charge, similar to H+. However, due to the greater charge (+2), it has a stronger electrostatic force of attraction compared to H+. Thus, while both ions could ionize hydrogen, the helium ion has a stronger effect due to higher charge.
Step 3: Conclusion: The helium ion is more effective than both the hydrogen ion and the incoming electron. Therefore, the answer is the helium ion.
Therefore, the correct answer is B (helium ion).
Step 2: Analyze the particles:
- **Electron**: An incoming electron will not effectively ionize the hydrogen atom unless it has sufficient energy (greater than W i) to overcome the ionization energy of the hydrogen atom. Thus, its efficacy depends on kinetic energy.
- **Hydrogen ion (H+)**: A hydrogen ion has lost its electron and has a positive charge. When it approaches a neutral hydrogen atom, it experiences a strong electrostatic attraction due to its positive charge and can effectively ionize the hydrogen atom by pulling its electron away.
- **Helium ion (He+)**: A helium ion has two protons and one electron. Thus, it is also positively charged and can effectively ionize a hydrogen atom through its strong positive charge, similar to H+. However, due to the greater charge (+2), it has a stronger electrostatic force of attraction compared to H+. Thus, while both ions could ionize hydrogen, the helium ion has a stronger effect due to higher charge.
Step 3: Conclusion: The helium ion is more effective than both the hydrogen ion and the incoming electron. Therefore, the answer is the helium ion.
Therefore, the correct answer is B (helium ion).
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.
Similar Questions
Explore conceptually related problems
An -particle of 5 MeV energy strikes with a nucleus of uranium at stationary at an scattering angl…
The ratio of the speed of the electrons in the ground state of hydrogen to the speed of light in va…
In hydrogen atom, electron makes transition from to level. Recoil momentum of the atom will be
A sodium atom is in one of the states labeled 'Lowest excited levels'. It remains in that state for…
An energy of 24.6 eV is required to remove one of the electrons from a neutral helium atom. The ene…
A hydrogen atom in its ground state absorbs 10.2 eV of energy. The orbital angular momentum is incr…