Exam-style question
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A hydrogen electron falls from n=6 to n=2, producing a visible Balmer-series photon. Calculate the photon energy in eV using the given energy-level expression, and state why the answer is positive for emission.
- A.10.20 eV
- B.12.09 eV
- C.13.60 eV
- D.2.55 eV
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- 10.20 eV
Explanation
Why this works
The electron moves to a lower energy level, so the atom emits a photon. Substituting n_initial = 6 and n_final = 2 into the level-difference expression gives 10.20 eV for the photon energy; the emitted photon is reported as a positive energy because it is energy carried away from the atom.
Common mistake
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