As an electron makes a transition from an excited state to the ground state of a hydrogen like atom/ion.

Options

A. its kinetic energy increases but potential and total energy decreases
B. kinetic energy, potential energy and total energy decrease.
C. kinetic energy decreases, potential energy increases but total energy remain same.
D. kinetic energy and total energy decreases but potential energy increases.

Answer

A

Explanation

For hydrogen like atom Z = 1
`:.` Potential energy in `n^(th)` orbit.
`P.E=-(27.2)/(n^(2))eV`
Kinetic energy `KE=+(13.6)/(n^(2))eV`
and total energy `E=-(13.6)/(n^(2))eV`
Hence, electron transist in ground state (n = 1), the value of n decreases hence value of PE. decreases (It is negative). Since kinetic energy increases but potential and total energy decreases (it is negative).