Planck’s equation E = h × v is used to determine which of the following?
Question options:
A the energy released as an electron moves to a higher orbital
B the number of lines on the atomic spectrum for an atom
C the energy released as an electron moves to a lower orbital
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is C: the energy released as an electron moves to a lower orbital.
Explanation
Planck’s equation, represented as ( E = h \times v ), is fundamental in quantum mechanics and is used to calculate the energy of photons, where ( E ) is the energy of the photon, ( h ) is Planck’s constant (approximately ( 6.626 \times 10^{-34} \, \text{Js} )), and ( v ) (or ( \nu )) is the frequency of the emitted radiation.
When an electron transitions from a higher energy level (or orbital) to a lower energy level, it emits a photon whose energy corresponds to the difference in energy between the two levels. This process is crucial in understanding atomic spectra. The energy levels in an atom are quantized, meaning that electrons can only exist in specific energy states. When an electron moves from a higher orbital to a lower one, it releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation, which can be calculated using Planck’s equation.
For example, consider a hydrogen atom where an electron transitions from the n=3 level to the n=2 level. The energy difference between these levels can be expressed in terms of frequency. Using the equation ( E = h \times v ), the energy of the emitted photon during this transition can be calculated, allowing us to identify the wavelength of light produced and its position in the electromagnetic spectrum. This relationship is essential for analyzing atomic spectra, helping scientists determine the composition of stars and other celestial bodies.
In summary, Planck’s equation is directly linked to the energy changes occurring during electron transitions, specifically the energy released when an electron moves to a lower orbital, making option C the correct choice.