What is the maximum number of spectral lines emitted by a hydrogen atom when it is in the third excited state?

Explanation

To determine the maximum number of spectral lines emitted by a hydrogen atom when it is in the third excited state, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Energy Levels
The hydrogen atom has discrete energy levels, which are denoted by the principal quantum number \( n \). The ground state corresponds to \( n = 1 \), the first excited state to \( n = 2 \), the second excited state to \( n = 3 \), and the third excited state to \( n = 4 \).

### Step 2: Determine the Initial State
In this case, the hydrogen atom is in the third excited state, which corresponds to \( n = 4 \).

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