Chapter 7.4, Problem 5PE

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The energy required to ionize an excited state hydrogen atom with an electron initially in $n=3$ energy level is to be calculated and to predict whether this energy is greater than or less than the energy needed to ionize a ground state hydrogen atom.

Concept introduction: The energy required to excite an electron from its energy level is calculated by formula,

$\Delta E=-2.178\times {10}^{-18}\text{J}\left(\frac{1}{n_{\text{f}}^2}-\frac{1}{n_{\text{i}}^2}\right)$

To determine: The energy required to ionize an excited state hydrogen atom with an electron initially in $n=3$ energy level. Whether this energy is greater than or less than the energy needed to ionize a ground state hydrogen atom.