Class XII/Physics

ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM OF HYDROGEN ATOM

The energy of electron in the nth orbit of the hydrogen atom is given by

2
 1  2π 2m 4 e
En −=  ⋅  ⋅ 2 2
 4π 0  n h ε
En =−
(9 ×10 ) 9 2
× 2 × 3.14 2 × 9.1×10 −31 × 1.6 ×10 −19 ( ) 4

(
n 2 × 6.62 ×10 −34 ) 2

21 .76 ×10 −19

En = − J
n2
But, 1.6 ×10 −19 J =1eV
21 .76 ×10 −19 13 .6
En = − = − 2 eV
n (1.6 ×10 )
Therefore, 2 −19
n
Energy associated with the first orbit of the hydrogen atom is given by-
13 .6
E1 = − = −13 .6eV
12
It is called the GROUND STATE energy of the hydrogen atom.

Energy associated with the second orbit of the hydrogen atom is given by-
13 .6
E2 = − = −3.4eV
22
It is called ENERGY OF FIRST EXCITED STATE of hydrogen atom.

The energy of the second, third, fourth ……excited states of hydrogen atom are given by:
13 .6
E3 = − = −1.51eV (Second excited state)
32
13 .6
E 4 = − 2 = −0.85 eV (Third excited state)
4
Therefore, as n increases, the energy associated with the state becomes less negative. The figure below shows the energy levels of hydrogen
atom.

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LIMITATIONS OF BOHR’S ATOMIC MODEL

♦ It explains the spectra of only hydrogen-like atoms, He+, Li++ etc. It could not explain the line spectrum of multi electron atoms.
♦ Bohr’s atomic model does not explain the fine structure of spectral lines.
♦ It does not explain the splitting of a spectral line into a number of spectral lines under the effect of magnetic field (Zeeman effect)
and electric field (Stark effect).
♦ The shapes of molecules arising out of directional bonding could not be explained.
♦ The dual nature of electrons (both as wave and particle) and the path of motion of the electron in well defined orbits were not
correct.

X-rays or Roentgen rays

X rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths that range from about 10 −7 to about 10 −15 meters. X rays were discovered
in 1895 by German physicist William Roentgen. The wavelengths of X-rays range from .001 to 1 nm. As Roentgen tube suffered from some
defects, Coolidge designed a special tube for emission of X-rays known as Coolidge tube or Modern X-ray tube.

Production of X-rays:
An X-ray tube consists of a glass tube from which air has been
removed. The tube contains two electrodes, a negatively
charged electrode called the cathode and a positively charged
target called the anti-cathode. The face of the anti-cathode is
set at an angle of about 70° to the axis joining the anti-cathode
and cathode. The two electrodes are attached to a source of
direct (DC) current. When the current is turned on, electrons
are ejected from the cathode. They travel through the glass
• K: filament (-)
tube and strike a target, usually tungsten, molybdenum or
• A: anti-cathode (+)
copper. The energy released when the electrons hit the target is
• Win and Wout: water inlet and outlet of the cooling device
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emitted in the form of X rays. The wavelength of the X rays produced is determined by the metal used for the target and the energy of the
electrons released from the cathode. X rays with higher frequencies and, therefore, higher penetrating power are known
as hard X rays. Those with lower frequencies and lower penetrating power are known as soft X rays.

X-ray spectrum:
The figure shows the graph of wavelengths of X-rays emitted from the Mo target by 3 KeV electrons against the relative intensity. Such a
graph is called the X-ray spectrum corresponding to the given element and energy of electrons.

1) The graph, starting from some minimum wavelength (λmin ) is continuous.

2) The relative intensity is very large for some definite wavelength.

3) λmin is a definite wavelength.

The continuous curve in the graph is called continuous spectrum. The peaks
obtained for certain wavelengths indicate line spectrum. This is the characteristic
curve of given element.

When any electron makes head on collision with an atom of the anti-cathode, its
total kinetic energy gets completely converted into X-rays of maximum frequency
(minimum wavelength).

1 c
Therefore, mv 2 = eV = hν max = h
2 λmin

hc
∴λmin =
eV

1
Since, ‘h’, ‘c’ and ‘e’ are constants, ∴λmin ∝
V
Explanation of characteristic X-ray spectrum
Some incident electrons penetrate deep inside the atom and knock off the inner orbit electrons. The electrons from outer shells undergo

transition and fill up these vacancies emitting radiations of definite frequencies. The radiation is called K α X-rays when an electron

undergoes transition from n = 2 (L shell) to n = 1 (K shell) and is called K β if the transition of electron is from n = 3 to n = 1. Thus

many lines of X-ray spectrum are obtained and the spectrum so formed is called characteristic spectrum. Such spectra depend on the type
of element of the anode (target) as energies of electrons in K, L, M ... shells in the atoms of different types are also different. Hence, the

wavelengths of K α , K β , Lα , ... radiations are also different for different elements. That is why such curves are called characteristic

spectrum of the given element.

Properties:
• They travel in straight lines.
• These rays are not deflected by electric or magnetic fields. It indicates that X-rays do not consist of charged particles.
• These rays ionise a gas.
• They can pass through opaque objects such as black paper.
• They can affect a photographic plate.
• X-rays cannot be focused by a lens.

• They are, in fact, electromagnetic waves of very short wavelength and travel with a velocity of 3 x108m/s.
• X-rays are highly penetrating.
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• They have destructive effect on living tissues.

Uses of X-rays

• It can take pictures of fractures in bones and diagnose problems such as lung infection etc.

• X rays can be used to kill cells. This is just what is done in some types of cancer therapy. X-radiation is directed against cancer
cells in the hope of destroying them while doing minimal damage to nearby normal cells.

• New technique for using X rays in the field of medicine is called computerized axial tomography, producing what are called CAT
scans.

• X-rays are used by Custom officials to screen the persons crossing the border.

• In scientific research, to gather information regarding the properties and structure of atoms.

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