Question

An electron makes a transition from an excited state to the ground state of a hydrogen like atom. Out of the following statements which one is correct?

Options

• Kinetic energy decreases, potential energy increases but total energy remains the same.

• Kinetic energy and total energy decreases but potential energy increases.

• Kinetic energy increases but potential energy and total energy decreases.

• Kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy decreases.

Answer 1

Kinetic energy increases but potential energy and total energy decreases.

Explanation:

T.E. = -13.6 `"Z"^2/"n"^2` eV, P.E. = 2 T.E.

and k.E. = 13.6 `"Z"^2/"n"^2` eV

Hence if n decreases K.E increases but P.E. and T.E. decrease.