Q. If electron in a hydrogen atom has moved from $n = 1$ to $n = 10$ orbit, the potential energy of the system has

A) Increased
B) Decreased
C) Remained unchanged
D) Become zero
Explanation

(a) $r_{n} \propto n^{2}$ in Bohr atom model
Potential energy $= \frac{- 1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}.\frac{e^{2}}{r_{n}}$
For the $10^{th}$ orbit, it is $= \frac{- 1}{4\pi\varepsilon_{0}}.\frac{e^{2}}{r_{1}(100)}$
$\frac{1}{100}$ times less than the potential energy in the first orbit
Potential energy will decrease but with negative sign. Therefore when an electron in hydrogen atom jumps from $n = 1$ to $n = 10$ orbit, the potential energy of the system will increase

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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