Question

Using the Bohr model, determine the energy, in joules, necessary to ionize a ground-state hydrogen atom. Show your calculations.

Answer 1

Answer:

The energy required to ionize the ground-state hydrogen atom is 2.18 x 10^-18 J or 13.6 eV.

Explanation:

To find the energy required to ionize ground-state hydrogen atom first we calculate the wavelength of photon required for this operation.

It is given by Bohr's Theory as:

1/λ = Rh (1/n1² - 1/n2²)

where,

λ = wavelength of photon

n1 = initial state = 1 (ground-state of hydrogen)

n2 = final state = ∞ (since, electron goes far away from atom after ionization)

Rh = Rhydberg's Constant = 1.097 x 10^7 /m

Therefore,

1/λ = (1.097 x 10^7 /m)(1/1² - 1/∞²)

λ = 9.115 x 10^-8 m = 91.15 nm

Now, for energy (E) we know that:

E = hc/λ

where,

h = Plank's Constant = 6.625 x 10^-34 J.s

c = speed of light = 3 x 10^8 m/s

Therefore,

E = (6.625 x 10^-34 J.s)(3 x 10^8 m/s)/(9.115 x 10^-8 m)

E = 2.18 x 10^-18 J

E = (2.18 x 10^-18 J)(1 eV/1.6 x 10^-19 J)

E = 13.6 eV