NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics Chapter 4 – Atoms

Question 12.1:

Choose the correct alternative from the clues given at the end of the each statement:

(a) The size of the atom in Thomson’s model is ………. the atomic size in Rutherford’s model. (much greater than/no different from/much less than.)

(b) In the ground state of ………. electrons are in stable equilibrium, while in ………. electrons always experience a net force.

(Thomson’s model/ Rutherford’s model.)

(c) classical atom based on ………. is doomed to collapse.

(Thomson’s model/ Rutherford’s model.)

(d) An atom has a nearly continuous mass distribution in a ………. but has a highly non-uniform mass distribution in ……….

(Thomson’s model/ Rutherford’s model.)

(e) The positively charged part of the atom possesses most of the mass in ………. (Rutherford’s model/both the models.)

Answer:

(a) The sizes of the atoms taken in Thomson’s model and Rutherford’s model have the same order of magnitude.

(b) In the ground state of Thomson’s model, the electrons are in stable equilibrium. However, in Rutherford’s model, the electrons always experience a net force.

(c) A classical atom based on Rutherford’s model is doomed to collapse.

(d) An atom has a nearly continuous mass distribution in Thomson’s model, but has a highly non-uniform mass distribution in Rutherford’s model.

(e) The positively charged part of the atom possesses most of the mass in both the models.

Question 12.2:

Suppose you are given a chance to repeat the alpha-particle scattering experiment using a thin sheet of solid hydrogen in place of the gold foil. (Hydrogen is a solid at temperatures below 14 K.) What results do you expect?

Answer:

In the alpha-particle scattering experiment, if a thin sheet of solid hydrogen is used in place of a gold foil, then the scattering angle would not be large enough. This is because the mass of hydrogen (1.67 × 10−27 kg) is less than the mass of incident α−particles (6.64 × 10−27 kg). Thus, the mass of the scattering particle is more than the target nucleus (hydrogen). As a result, the α−particles would not bounce back if solid hydrogen is used in the α-particle scattering experiment.

Page No 436:

Question 12.3:

What is the shortest wavelength present in the Paschen series of spectral lines?

Answer:

Rydberg’s formula is given as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 387f5307

Where,

h = Planck’s constant = 6.6 × 10−34 Js

= Speed of light = 3 × 10m/s

(n1 and n2 are integers)

The shortest wavelength present in the Paschen series of the spectral lines is given for values n1 = 3 and n2 = ∞.

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 2ac31504

Question 12.4:

A difference of 2.3 eV separates two energy levels in an atom. What is the frequency of radiation emitted when the atom makes a transition from the upper level to the lower level?

Answer:

Separation of two energy levels in an atom,

E = 2.3 eV

= 2.3 × 1.6 × 10−19

= 3.68 × 10−19 J

Let ν be the frequency of radiation emitted when the atom transits from the upper level to the lower level.

We have the relation for energy as:

E = hv

Where,

= Planck’s constantNS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 8ad8c4e

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html md637f6a

Hence, the frequency of the radiation is 5.6 × 1014 Hz.

Question 12.5:

The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is −13.6 eV. What are the kinetic and potential energies of the electron in this state?

Answer:

Ground state energy of hydrogen atom, E = − 13.6 eV

This is the total energy of a hydrogen atom. Kinetic energy is equal to the negative of the total energy.

Kinetic energy = − = − (− 13.6) = 13.6 eV

Potential energy is equal to the negative of two times of kinetic energy.

Potential energy = − 2 × (13.6) = − 27 .2 eV

Question 12.6:

A hydrogen atom initially in the ground level absorbs a photon, which excites it to the = 4 level. Determine the wavelength and frequency of the photon.

Answer:

For ground level, n1 = 1

Let E1 be the energy of this level. It is known that E1 is related with n1 as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 25671b9a

The atom is excited to a higher level, n2 = 4.

Let E2 be the energy of this level.

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m556853e0

The amount of energy absorbed by the photon is given as:

E2 − E1

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 2ad5a5cd

For a photon of wavelengthλ, the expression of energy is written as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 56293be5

Where,

h = Planck’s constant = 6.6 × 10−34 Js

c = Speed of light = 3 × 108 m/s

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m1d100b1d

And, frequency of a photon is given by the relation,

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html maa145b8

Hence, the wavelength of the photon is 97 nm while the frequency is 3.1 × 1015 Hz.

Question 12.7:

(a) Using the Bohr’s model calculate the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the = 1, 2, and 3 levels. (b) Calculate the orbital period in each of these levels.

Answer:

(a) Let ν1 be the orbital speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the ground state level, n1 = 1. For charge (e) of an electron, νis given by the relation,

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 1c2f830b

Where,

= 1.6 × 10−19 C

0 = Permittivity of free space = 8.85 × 10−12 N−1 C2 m−2

h = Planck’s constant = 6.62 × 10−34 Js

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m37aea148

For level n2 = 2, we can write the relation for the corresponding orbital speed as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m29ca2104

And, for n3 = 3, we can write the relation for the corresponding orbital speed as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 51a4c2b1

Hence, the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in n = 1, n=2, and n=3 is 2.18 × 106 m/s, 1.09 × 106 m/s, 7.27 × 105 m/s respectively.

(b) Let T1 be the orbital period of the electron when it is in level n1 = 1.

Orbital period is related to orbital speed as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m11ab9be7

Where,

r1 = Radius of the orbit

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 398e312d

h = Planck’s constant = 6.62 × 10−34 Js

e = Charge on an electron = 1.6 × 10−19 C

= Permittivity of free space = 8.85 × 10−12 N−1 C2 m−2

m = Mass of an electron = 9.1 × 10−31 kg

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m3ee4911c

For level n2 = 2, we can write the period as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 6346b107

Where,

r2 = Radius of the electron in n2 = 2

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m5c75f077

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m40024411

And, for level n3 = 3, we can write the period as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 6db95a7e

Where,

r3 = Radius of the electron in n3 = 3

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m234fb223

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m47da70e2

Hence, the orbital period in each of these levels is 1.52 × 10−16 s, 1.22 × 10−15 s, and 4.12 × 10−15 s respectively.

Question 12.8:

The radius of the innermost electron orbit of a hydrogen atom is 5.3 ×10−11 m. What are the radii of the = 2 and =3 orbits?

Answer:

The radius of the innermost orbit of a hydrogen atom, r1 = 5.3 × 10−11 m.

Let r2 be the radius of the orbit at n = 2. It is related to the radius of the innermost orbit as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m6957c051

For n = 3, we can write the corresponding electron radius as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 7bc7e106

Hence, the radii of an electron for n = 2 and n = 3 orbits are 2.12 × 10−10 m and 4.77 × 10−10 m respectively.

Question 12.9:

A 12.5 eV electron beam is used to bombard gaseous hydrogen at room temperature. What series of wavelengths will be emitted?

Answer:

It is given that the energy of the electron beam used to bombard gaseous hydrogen at room temperature is 12.5 eV. Also, the energy of the gaseous hydrogen in its ground state at room temperature is −13.6 eV.

When gaseous hydrogen is bombarded with an electron beam, the energy of the gaseous hydrogen becomes −13.6 + 12.5 eV i.e., −1.1 eV.

Orbital energy is related to orbit level (n) as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 20b45c6e

For n = 3, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m9b35e07

This energy is approximately equal to the energy of gaseous hydrogen. It can be concluded that the electron has jumped from n = 1 to n = 3 level.

During its de-excitation, the electrons can jump from n = 3 to n = 1 directly, which forms a line of the Lyman series of the hydrogen spectrum.

We have the relation for wave number for Lyman series as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m49f8511b

Where,

Ry = Rydberg constant = 1.097 × 107 m−1

λ= Wavelength of radiation emitted by the transition of the electron

For n = 3, we can obtain λas:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m10aeb09b

If the electron jumps from n = 2 to n = 1, then the wavelength of the radiation is given as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 562daf7e

If the transition takes place from n = 3 to n = 2, then the wavelength of the radiation is given as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m2c0b7bb8

This radiation corresponds to the Balmer series of the hydrogen spectrum.

Hence, in the Lyman series, two wavelengths i.e., 102.5 nm and 121.5 nm are emitted. And in the Balmer series, one wavelength i.e., 656.33 nm is emitted.

Question 12.10:

In accordance with Bohr’s model, find the quantum number that characterizes the earth’s revolution around the sun in an orbit of radius 1.5 × 1011 m with orbital speed 3 × 104 m/s. (Mass of earth = 6.0 × 1024 kg.)

Answer:

The radius of the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, r = 1.5 × 1011 m

The orbital speed of the Earth, ν = 3 × 104 m/s

Mass of the Earth, m = 6.0 × 1024 kg

According to Bohr’s model, angular momentum is quantized and given as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 1a72f26d

Where,

h = Planck’s constant = 6.62 × 10−34 Js

n = Quantum number

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m6f445cb1

Hence, the quanta number that characterizes the Earth’ revolution is 2.6 × 1074.

Question 12.11:

Answer the following questions, which help you understand the difference between Thomson’s model and Rutherford’s model better.

(a) Is the average angle of deflection of α­-particles by a thin gold foil predicted by Thomson’s model much less, about the same, or much greater than that predicted by Rutherford’s model?

(b) Is the probability of backward scattering (i.e., scattering of α-particles at angles greater than 90°) predicted by Thomson’s model much less, about the same, or much greater than that predicted by Rutherford’s model?

(c) Keeping other factors fixed, it is found experimentally that for small thickness t, the number of α-particles scattered at moderate angles is proportional to t. What clue does this linear dependence on provide?

(d) In which model is it completely wrong to ignore multiple scattering for the calculation of the average angle of scattering of α-particles by a thin foil?

Answer:

(a) about the same

The average angle of deflection of α­-particles by a thin gold foil predicted by Thomson’s model is about the same size as predicted by Rutherford’s model. This is because the average angle was taken in both models.

(b) much less

The probability of scattering of α-particles at angles greater than 90° predicted by Thomson’s model is much less than that predicted by Rutherford’s model.

(c) Scattering is mainly due to single collisions. The chances of a single collision increase linearly with the number of target atoms. Since the number of target atoms increases with an increase in thickness, the collision probability depends linearly on the thickness of the target.

(d) Thomson’s model

It is wrong to ignore multiple scattering in Thomson’s model for the calculation of the average angle of scattering of α­−particles by a thin foil. This is because a single collision causes a very little deflection in this model. Hence, the observed average scattering angle can be explained only by considering multiple scattering.

Question 12.12:

The gravitational attraction between electron and proton in a hydrogen atom is weaker than the Coulomb attraction by a factor of about 10−40. An alternative way of looking at this fact is to estimate the radius of the first Bohr orbit of a hydrogen atom if the electron and proton were bound by gravitational attraction. You will find the answer interesting.

Answer:

Radius of the first Bohr orbit is given by the relation,

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m638b90dd

Where,

0 = Permittivity of free space

h = Planck’s constant = 6.63 × 10−34 Js

me = Mass of an electron = 9.1 × 10−31 kg

e = Charge of an electron = 1.9 × 10−19 C

mp = Mass of a proton = 1.67 × 10−27 kg

r = Distance between the electron and the proton

Coulomb attraction between an electron and a proton is given as: NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 3130ba59

The gravitational force of attraction between an electron and a proton is given as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 2f278942

Where,

G = Gravitational constant = 6.67 × 10−11 N m2/kg2

If the electrostatic (Coulomb) force and the gravitational force between an electron and a proton are equal, then we can write:

FG = FC

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m430e9b57

Putting the value of equation (4) in equation (1), we get:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 2d323cbc

It is known that the universe is 156 billion light-years wide or 1.5 × 1027 m wide. Hence, we can conclude that the radius of the first Bohr orbit is much greater than the estimated size of the whole universe.

Question 12.13:

Obtain an expression for the frequency of radiation emitted when a hydrogen atom de-excites from level to level (n−1). For large n, show that this frequency equals the classical frequency of revolution of the electron in the orbit.

Answer:

It is given that a hydrogen atom de-excites from an upper level (n) to a lower level (n−1).

We have the relation for energy (E1) of radiation at level as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m45229427

Now, the relation for energy (E2) of radiation at level (− 1) is givenas: NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m4a8a8a5f

Energy (E) released as a result of de-excitation:

E = E2E1

hν = E2 − E1 … (iii)

Where,

ν = Frequency of radiation emitted

Putting values from equations (i) and (ii) in equation (iii), we get:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 5c78cec7

For large n, we can writeNS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m2e8ae7d8

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m32f9974d

Classical relation of frequency of revolution of an electron is given as: NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m22929933

Where,

The velocity of the electron in the nth orbit is given as:

v =NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m6ea3e111

And, the radius of the nth orbit is given as:

r = NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m6d09999f

Putting the values of equations (vi) and (vii) in equation (v), we get:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 274edfce

Hence, the frequency of radiation emitted by the hydrogen atom is equal to its classical orbital frequency.

Page No 437:

Question 12.14:

Classically, an electron can be in any orbit around the nucleus of an atom. Then what determines the typical atomic size? Why is an atom not, say, a thousand times bigger than its typical size? The question had greatly puzzled Bohr before he arrived at his famous model of the atom that you have learned in the text. To simulate what he might well have done before his discovery, let us play as follows with the basic constants of nature and see if we can get a quantity with the dimensions of length that is roughly equal to the known size of an atom (~ 10−10 m).

(a) Construct a quantity with the dimensions of length from the fundamental constants eme, and c. Determine its numerical value.

(b) You will find that the length obtained in (a) is many orders of magnitude smaller than the atomic dimensions. Further, it involves c. But energies of atoms are mostly in a non-relativistic domain where is not expected to play any role. This is what may have suggested Bohr discard and look for ‘something else to get the right atomic size. Now, the Planck’s constant h had already made its appearance elsewhere. Bohr’s great insight lay in recognizing that hme, and will yield the right atomic size. Construct a quantity with the dimension of length from hme, and and confirm that its numerical value has indeed the correct order of magnitude.

Answer:

(a) Charge on an electron, e = 1.6 × 10−19 C

Mass of an electron, me = 9.1 × 10−31 kg

Speed of light, c = 3 ×108 m/s

Let us take a quantity involving the given quantities as NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m5a187aef

Where,

0 = Permittivity of free space

And, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 719a83e

The numerical value of the taken quantity will be:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m476169ae

Hence, the numerical value of the taken quantity is much smaller than the typical size of an atom.

(b) Charge on an electron, e = 1.6 × 10−19 C

Mass of an electron, me = 9.1 × 10−31 kg

Planck’s constant, h = 6.63 ×10−34 Js

Let us take a quantity involving the given quantities as NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m7e65cfaa

Where,

0 = Permittivity of free space

And, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 719a83e

The numerical value of the taken quantity will be:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m2e778f34

Hence, the value of the quantity taken is of the order of the atomic size.

Question 12.15:

The total energy of an electron in the first excited state of the hydrogen atom is about −3.4 eV.

(a) What is the kinetic energy of the electron in this state?

(b) What is the potential energy of the electron in this state?

(c) Which of the answers above would change if the choice of the zero of potential energy is changed?

Answer:

(a) Total energy of the electron, E = −3.4 eV

The kinetic energy of the electron is equal to the negative of the total energy.

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 74849e29K = −E

= − (− 3.4) = +3.4 eV

Hence, the kinetic energy of the electron in the given state is +3.4 eV.

(b) Potential energy (U) of the electron is equal to the negative of twice of its kinetic energy.

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 74849e29U = −2 K

= − 2 × 3.4 = − 6.8 eV

Hence, the potential energy of the electron in the given state is − 6.8 eV.

(c) The potential energy of a system depends on the reference point taken. Here, the potential energy of the reference point is taken as zero. If the reference point is changed, then the value of the potential energy of the system also changes. Since total energy is the sum of kinetic and potential energies, total energy of the system will also change.

Question 12.16:

If Bohr’s quantization postulate (angular momentum = nh/2π) is a basic law of nature, it should be equally valid for the case of planetary motion also. Why then do we never speak of quantisation of orbits of planets around the sun?

Answer:

We never speak of quantization of orbits of planets around the Sun because the angular momentum associated with planetary motion is largely relative to the value of Planck’s constant (h). The angular momentum of the Earth in its orbit is of the order of 1070h. This leads to a very high value of quantum levels of the order of 1070. For large values of n, successive energies and angular momenta are relatively very small. Hence, the quantum levels for planetary motion are considered continuous.

Question 12.17:

Obtain the first Bohr’s radius and the ground state energy of a muonic hydrogen atom [i.e., an atom in which a negatively charged muon (μ) of mass about 207me orbits around a proton].

Answer:

Mass of a negatively charged muon, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m21730c8b

According to Bohr’s model,

Bohr radius, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m23e24b99

And, the energy of a ground state electronic hydrogen atom,NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 6d9e859

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m42bbf1a7

We have the value of the first Bohr orbit, NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html m69e56a3e

Let rμ be the radius of the muonic hydrogen atom.

At equilibrium, we can write the relation as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html ma8a741d

Hence, the value of the first Bohr radius of a muonic hydrogen atom is

2.56 × 10−13 m.

We have,

Ee= − 13.6 eV

Take the ratio of these energies as:

NS 29 10 08 Sravana 12 Physics 12 17 NRJ SG html 704b0948

Hence, the ground state energy of a muonic hydrogen atom is −2.81 keV.


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