Three photons originating from an excited atomic-hydrogen sample are detected. Their energies are 12.1 eV , 10.2 eV , and 1.9 eV . These photons must have been emitted by

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Correct answer: B. either two atoms or three atoms

The energy levels of a hydrogen atom are given by E_n = - 13.6 n^2 eV . The energies of the first few levels are: E₁ = -13.6 eV E₂ = -3.4 eV E₃ = -1.51 eV The energy differences between these levels are: E₃ - E₁ = -1.51 - (-13.6) = 12.09 eV 12.1 eV E₂ - E₁ = -3.4 - (-13.6) = 10.2 eV E₃ - E₂ = -1.51 - (-3.4) = 1.89 eV 1.9 eV The detected photons correspond to the transitions n=3 n=1 ( 12.1 eV ), n=2 n=1 ( 10.2 eV ), and n=3 n=2 ( 1.9 eV ). A single hydrogen atom in the n=3 state can either transition directly to n=1

Three photons originating from an excited atomic-hydrogen sample are detected. Their energies are 12.1 eV , 10.2 eV , and 1.9 eV . These photons must have been emitted by

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