Two H atoms in the ground state collide in elastically. The maximum amount by which their combined kinetic energy is reduced is

Options

A. `10.20 eV`
B. `20.40 eV`
C. `13.6 eV`
D. `27.2 eV`

Answer

A

Explanation

The total energy associated with the two H-atoms in the ground state collide in elastically `=2 xx (13.6 eV) = 27.2 eV`.
The maximum amount by which their combined kinetic energy is reduced is when any one of them goes into first excited state after the inelastic collision
`= (13.6/(2^(2))) + (13.6) = 17.0 eV`
Therefore, maximum loss of their combined energy
`= 27.2 - 17.0 = 10.2 eV`