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Multiple Choice
Which electron transition in a hydrogen atom, starting from n = 10, will produce light of wavelength 3040 nm?
A
n = 10 to n = 7
B
n = 10 to n = 8
C
n = 10 to n = 9
D
n = 10 to n = 6
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the problem involves electron transitions in a hydrogen atom, which can be analyzed using the Rydberg formula for wavelengths: , where is the Rydberg constant, is the wavelength, and are the principal quantum numbers.
Identify the initial state of the electron, which is = 10, and the possible final states: = 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Calculate the wavelength for each transition using the Rydberg formula. For each transition, substitute = 10 and the respective value into the formula, and solve for .
Compare the calculated wavelengths to the given wavelength of 3040 nm. The transition that results in a wavelength closest to 3040 nm is the correct answer.
Conclude which transition matches the given wavelength by identifying the transition that produces a wavelength closest to 3040 nm, confirming the correct answer.