Rank the following transitions in a hydrogen atom in order of increasing wavelength of electromagnetic radiation that could produce them. Answer this question without doing any calculations. Explain the order. n=2 to n=4
n=6 to n=8
n=10 to n=12
n=14 to n=16

n=2 to n=4 < n=6 to n=8 < n=10 to n=12 < n=14 to n=16

Explanation:

According to Neils Bohr, electrons in an atom are found in specified energy levels. Transitions are possible from one energy level to another when the electron receives sufficient energy usually in the form of a photon of electromagnetic radiation of appropriate frequency and wavelength. The energy of this photon corresponds to the energy difference between the two energy levels. Thus the higher the energy difference between energy levels, the greater the energy of the photon required to cause the transition and the shorter the wavelength of the photon.

High energy photons have a very short wavelength. It should be noted that as n increases, the energy of successive energy levels decreases and transitions between them now occurs at longer wavelengths. Hence, the highest energy and shortest wavelength of photons are required for transition involving lower values of n because such electrons are closer to the nucleus and are more tightly bound to it than electrons found at a greater distance from the nucleus.

Hence transition involving electrons at higher energy levels occur at a longer wavelength compared to transition involving electrons closer to the nucleus. This is the basis for the arrangement of wavelengths required to effect the various electronic transitions shown in the answer.

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