Q69 / 75 · JEE Main 2026 (06 April Shift 1) · Physics

The ratio of momentum of the photons of the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ line of Balmer series of Hydrogen atoms is $\alpha/\beta$. The possible values of $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are:-

  • A
    $27$ and $20$
  • B
    $3$ and $16$
  • C
    $5$ and $36$
  • Correct answer
    D
    $20$ and $27$

Solution

The momentum of a photon is given by $p = \dfrac{h}{\lambda}$.

From Rydberg's formula, the wave number is $\dfrac{1}{\lambda} = R \left( \dfrac{1}{n_1^2} - \dfrac{1}{n_2^2} \right)$.

For the first line of the Balmer series, the transition is from $n_2 = 3$ to $n_1 = 2$.

$p_1 = \dfrac{h}{\lambda_1} = hR \left( \dfrac{1}{2^2} - \dfrac{1}{3^2} \right) = hR \left( \dfrac{1}{4} - \dfrac{1}{9} \right) = \dfrac{5hR}{36}$

For the second line of the Balmer series, the transition is from $n_2 = 4$ to $n_1 = 2$.

$p_2 = \dfrac{h}{\lambda_2} = hR \left( \dfrac{1}{2^2} - \dfrac{1}{4^2} \right) = hR \left( \dfrac{1}{4} - \dfrac{1}{16} \right) = \dfrac{3hR}{16}$

The ratio of the momenta is:

$\dfrac{p_1}{p_2} = \dfrac{\dfrac{5hR}{36}}{\dfrac{3hR}{16}} = \dfrac{5}{36} \times \dfrac{16}{3} = \dfrac{20}{27}$

Comparing with $\dfrac{\alpha}{\beta}$, the possible values are $\alpha = 20$ and $\beta = 27$.

Answer: $20$ and $27$

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.

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