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Multiple Choice
Consider a hydrogen atom in the ground state; what is the energy of its electron?
A
-3.4 eV
B
0 eV
C
-1.51 eV
D
-13.6 eV
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that the energy levels of electrons in a hydrogen atom are quantized and can be calculated using the formula: , where is the Rydberg constant (approximately 13.6 eV) and is the principal quantum number.
Recognize that the ground state of a hydrogen atom corresponds to the principal quantum number .
Substitute into the energy formula: .
Calculate the energy using the formula, which simplifies to eV for the ground state.
Conclude that the energy of the electron in the ground state of a hydrogen atom is eV, which matches the correct answer provided.