In the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom, an electron transitions from the n = 3 energy level to the n = 2 energy level. Which of the following statements is true?
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Correct answer
B. The atom emits a photon whose energy equals the energy difference between the two levels.
Principle or equation
In the Bohr model, when an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one, the atom emits a photon with energy equal to the difference in energy levels: E_photon = E_initial - E_final.
Why this answer is correct
The transition from n = 3 to n = 2 is a downward transition, so energy is released as a photon. The photon energy equals the difference between the initial and final energy levels.
Example
For hydrogen, E_3 = -1.51 eV, E_2 = -3.40 eV, so the emitted photon has energy 1.89 eV.
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