Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]PhysicsBohr's Model and Physics of the Atom
Identify the curve from the figure below that could depict the speed of an electron in a hydrogen atom as a function of its principal quantum number n .
Options
- Aa
- Bc
- Cb
- Dd
Correct answer
B. c
Step-by-step solution
The speed of an electron in the n^ th Bohr orbit of a hydrogen atom is given by: v_n = Z e^2 2 ₀ n h For a hydrogen atom, Z = 1 , which gives: v_n 1 n This indicates that the speed v is inversely proportional to the principal quantum number n . The graph of an inversely proportional relationship ( y 1 x ) is a rectangular hyperbola. Analyzing the given curves: Curve a shows an increasing trend. Curve b shows a linear decrease. Curve c represents a rectangular hyperbola, showing a rapid decrease that gradually flatt