Q135 / 150 · MHT CET 2025 (5 May Shift 2) · Physics

The ratio of the total energy of the $2^{\text {nd }}$ orbit electron for the hydrogen atom $1 \mathrm{H}^1$ to that of helium ion $\left(\mathrm{He}^{+}\right) 2 \mathrm{He}^4$ is

  • A
    4
  • B
    2
  • C
    $\frac{1}{2}$
  • Correct answer
    D
    $\frac{1}{4}$

Solution

Total energy of an electron in a hydrogen-like atom: $E_n = -13.6 \frac{Z^2}{n^2}$ eV

For hydrogen ($Z = 1$ in the $n = 2$ orbit): $E_{H,2} = -13.6 \frac{1^2}{2^2} = -3.4$ eV

For helium ion He⁺ ($Z = 2$ in the $n = 2$ orbit): $E_{He,2} = -13.6 \frac{2^2}{2^2} = -13.6$ eV

The energy ratio is $\frac{E_{H,2}}{E_{He,2}} = \frac{-3.4}{-13.6} = \frac{1}{4}$

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

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