Question

If we have a one-electron atom, and the electron can occupy any of 5 different energy levels, and transitions are possible between any level and any other, how many lines might appear in that atom’s spectrum?

Answer 1

Answer:

10

Explanation:

 Lets say that a,b,c,d,e are the five allowed energy states in order of decreasing energy. Then the number of possible different spectral lines comes from the electron dropping from a high state to a lower state. So, they will do so in following ways:

a - b

a - c

a - d

a- e

b - c

b - d

b- e

c - d

c- e

d- e

Ans- Ten different possible energy jumps giving six different colors or lines in the spectrum.