Question

Electrons in excited hydrogen atoms are in the
n = 3 energy level. How many different photon
frequencies could be emitted as the atoms return
to the ground state?
(1) 1 (3) 3
(2) 2 (4) 4

Answer 1

(2) 2, is your answer. The Balmer and Lyman series releases different frequencies of the hydrogen atom energy emissions.

Answer 2

Answer: Choice 3

Explanation: In returning to the ground state from the n=3 level, the electron could jump to the n=1 directly; alternatively, it could jump to the n=2 then jump to n=1 level. Each jump represents a photon at a different energy level. Therefore, three different photon frequencies could be emitted.