2 Atomic Structure

1. The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is −13.6eV. The energy of second
excited state of He+ ion in eV is

(a) -54.4
(b) -3.4
(c) -6.04
(d) -27.2

Solution:

The ground state energy of H-atom is +13.6eV.

For second excited state, 𝑛 = 2 + 1 = 3

Z2
∴ 𝐸3 (He+ ) = −13.6 × eV [∵ for He+ , 𝑍 = 2]
𝑛2
22
= −13.6 × eV = −6.04eV
32

2. Rutherford's experiment, which established the nuclear model of the atom, used a
beam of

(a) 𝛽-particles, which impinged on a metal foil and got absorbed

(b) 𝛾-rays, which impinged on a metal foil and got scattered

(c) helium atoms, which impinged on a metal foil and got scattered

(d) helium nuclei, which impinged on a metal foil and got scattered

Solution:

Rutherford used 𝛼-particle (He2+ nuclei) in his experiment.

3. Bohr's model can explain

(a) the spectrum of hydrogen atom only

(b) spectrum of an atom or ion containing one electron only

(c) the spectrum of hydrogen molecule

(d) the solar spectrum

Solution:

Bohr's model is applicable to one-electron system only.

4. The increasing order (lowest first) for the values of 𝑒/𝑚 (charge/mass) for
electron (𝑒), proton (𝑝), neutron (𝑛) and alpha particle (𝛼) is

(a) 𝑒, 𝑝, 𝑛, 𝛼
(b) 𝑛, 𝑝, 𝑒, 𝛼
(c) 𝑛, 𝑝, 𝛼, 𝑒
(d) 𝑛, 𝛼, 𝑝, 𝑒

Solution:

Neutron has no charge, hence 𝑒/𝑚 is zero for neutron. Next, 𝛼-particle (He2+ ) has
very high mass compared to proton and electron, therefore very small 𝑒/𝑚 ratio.
Proton and electron have same charge (magnitude) but former is heavier, hence has
smaller value of 𝑒/𝑚.
𝑒
:𝑛 < 𝛼 < 𝑝 < 𝑒
𝑚

5. Rutherford's scattering experiment is related to the size of the

(a) nucleus
(b) atom
(c) electron
(d) neutron

Solution:
 The negligibly small size of nucleus compared to the size of atom was first established
in Rutherford's experiment.

6. Rutherford's experiment on scattering of 𝛼-particles showed for the first time that
the atom has

(a) electrons
(b) protons
(c) nucleus
(d) neutrons

Solution:

The most important findings of Rutherford's experiment is discovery of nucleus.

7. With what velocity should an 𝛼-particle travel towards the nucleus of a copper
atom so as to arrive at a distance 10−13 m from the nucleus of the copper atom?
Solution:

When 𝛼-particle stop at 10−13 m from nucleus, kinetic energy is zero, i.e. whole of its
kinetic energy at the starting point is now converted into potential energy.

Potential energy of this 𝛼-particle can be determined as

𝑍1 × 𝑍2 𝑒 2
PE = −
(4𝜋𝜀0 )𝑟
(𝑍1 = +2, 𝑍2 = +29, 𝜀0 = 8.85 × 10−12 J−1 C2 m−1
𝑟 = 10−13 m)
2 × 29 × (1.6 × 10−19 )2
⇒ |𝑃𝐸| = 𝐽
4 × 3.14 × 8.85 × 10−12 × 10−13
= 1.33 × 10−13 J
= kinetic energy of 𝛼-particle at 𝑡 = 0
1
⇒ KE = 𝑚𝑣 2 = 1.33 × 10−13
2
2 × 1.33 × 10−13
⇒ 𝑣=√ = 6.3 × 106 ms−1
4 × 1.66 × 10−27
 8. The ratio of the shortest wavelength of two spectral series of hydrogen spectrum is
found to be about 9 . The spectral series are

(a) Lyman and Paschen

(b) Brackett and Pfund
(c) Paschen and Pfund
(d) Balmer and Brackett

Solution:

According to Rydberg's equation,

1 𝑅H 1 1 1 1 1
= ( 2 − 2 ) or ∝ ( 2 − 2 )
𝜆 ℎ𝑐 𝑛1 𝑛2 𝜆 𝑛1 𝑛2

For shortest wavelength, i.e. highest energy spectral line, 𝑛2 will be (∞).

For the given spectral series, ratio of the shortest wavelength of two spectral series can
be calculated as follows :
1 1 1
𝜆L 2 −∞2 −0 1
(a) = 31 1 =9 =
𝜆P − 1−0 9
12 ∞2

1 1
𝜆Bk 2 −∞2 1 16 16
(b) 𝜆Pf
= 51 1 = 25 × 1
= 25
−
42 ∞2

1 1
𝜆P − 1 9 9
52 ∞2
(c) 𝜆 = 1 1 = 25 × 1 = 25
Pf −
32 ∞2

1 1
𝜆 2 −∞2 1 4 1
(d) 𝜆 B = 41 1 = 16 × 1 = 4
Bk −
22 ∞2

Note Lyman = L(𝑛1 = 1), Balmer = B(𝑛1 = 2)

Paschen = P(𝑛1 = 3), Brackett = Bk(𝑛1 = 4)

Pfund = Pf(𝑛1 = 5)

9. The number of radial nodes in 3𝑠 and 2𝑝 respectively are

 (a) 2 and 0
(b) 0 and 2
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 1
Solution:

The number of radial nodes is given by expression (𝑛 − 𝑙 − 1).

For 3𝑠, number of nodes = 3 − 0 − 1 = 2

For 2𝑝, number of nodes = 2 − 1 − 1 = 0

10. Which hydrogen like species will have same radius as that of Bohr orbit of
hydrogen atom?
(a) 𝑛 = 2, Li2+
(b) 𝑛 = 2, Be3+
(c) 𝑛 = 2, He+
(d) 𝑛 = 3, Li2+
Solution:

𝑎0 𝑛 2
Expression for Bohr's orbit is, 𝑟𝑛 = 𝑍
= 𝑎0 when 𝑛 = 2, 𝑍 = 4.

11. If the nitrogen atom had electronic configuration 1𝑠 7 , it would have energy lower
than that of the normal ground state configuration 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝3 , because the electrons
would be closer to the nucleus, yet 1𝑠 7 is not observed, because it violates

(a) Heisenberg uncertainty principle

(b) Hund's rule

(c) Pauli exclusion principle

(d) Bohr postulate of stationary orbits

Solution:

1𝑠 7 violate Pauli exclusion principle, according to which an orbital cannot have more
than two electrons.
 1 1
12. The quantum numbers + 2 and − 2 for the electron spin represent

(a) rotation of the electron in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction respectively

(b) rotation of the electron in anti-clockwise and clockwise direction respectively

(c) magnetic moment of the electron pointing up and down respectively

(d) two quantum mechanical spin states which have no classical analogue

Solution:

1 1
+ 2 and − 2 just represents two quantum mechanical spin states which have no
classical analogue.

13. The electronic configuration of an element is 1𝑠 2 , 2𝑠 2 2𝑝6 , 3𝑠 2 3𝑝6 3𝑑5 , 4𝑠1 . This
represents its

(a) excited state

(b) ground state
(c) cationic form
(d) anionic form
Solution:

1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝6 3𝑠 2 3𝑝6 3𝑑5 4𝑠1 is ground state electronic configuration of Cr.

14. The electrons, identified by quantum numbers 𝑛 and 𝑙,

(i) 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 1, (ii) 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 0, (iii) 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 2, (iv) 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 1 can be placed in order of
increasing energy, from the lowest to highest, as
(a) (iv) < (ii) < (iii) < (i)
(b) (ii) < (iv) < (i) < (iii)
(c) (i) < (iii) < (ii) < (iv)
(d) (iii) < (i) < (iv) < (ii)

Solution:
 (i) 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 1 ⇒ 4𝑝-orbital

(ii) 𝑛 = 4, 𝑙 = 0 ⇒ 4𝑠-orbital

(iii) 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 2 ⇒ 3𝑑-orbital

(iv) 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 1 ⇒ 3𝑑-orbital

According to Aufbau principle, energies of above mentioned orbitals are in the order of

(iv) 3𝑝 < (ii) 4𝑠 < (iii) 3𝑑 < (i) 4𝑝

15. The energy of an electron in the first Bohr orbit of H-atom is −13.6eV. The
possible energy value(s) of the excited state(s) for electrons in Bohr orbits of
hydrogen is (are)

(a) −3.4eV
(b) −4.2eV
(c) −6.8eV
(d) +6.8eV

Solution:

The energy of an electron in a Bohr atom is expressed as

𝑘𝑍 2
𝐸𝑛 = − 2 where, 𝑘 = Constant,
𝑛
𝑍 = Atomic number
𝑛 = Orbit number
= −13.6eV for H(𝑛 = 1)
−13.6
when 𝑛 = 2, 𝐸2 = eV = −3.40eV
22

( 𝑛 can have only integral value 1,2,3,……∞ )

16. Which of the following has the maximum number of unpaired electrons?

(a) Mg 2+
(b) Ti3+
(c) V 3+
(d) Fe2+
Solution:

ℎ
The orbital angular momentum (𝐿) = √𝑙(𝑙 + 1) 2𝜋
ℎ
= √6 (𝑙 = 2 for 𝑑-orbital )
2𝜋

17. The orbital angular momentum of an electron in 2𝑠-orbital is

1 ℎ
(a) + 2 ⋅ 2𝜋

(b) zero
ℎ
(c) 2𝜋
ℎ
(d) √2 ⋅ 2𝜋

Solution:

Expression for orbital angular momentum (𝐿) is

ℎ
𝐿 = √𝑙(𝑙 + 1) = 0 for 2𝑠-electrons
2𝜋

∵ For 𝑠-orbital, 𝑙 = 0.

18. Which of the following relates to photons both as wave motion and as a stream of
particles?
(a) Interference
(b) 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐 2
(c) Diffraction
(d) 𝐸 = ℎ𝑣
Solution:

Diffraction is property of wave, 𝐸 = 𝑚𝑐 2 determine energy of particle and 𝐸 = ℎ𝑣

determine energy of photon. Interference phenomena is exhibited by both matter
and waves.

19. Which of the following does not characterise X-rays ?

(a) The radiation can ionise gases

(b) It causes ZnS to fluoresce

(c) Deflected by electric and magnetic fields

(d) Have wavelengths shorter than ultraviolet rays

Solution:

X-rays is electrically neutral, not deflected in electric or magnetic fields.

20. The correct set of quantum numbers for the unpaired electron of chlorine atom
is

Solution:

Cl(17) = 1𝑠 2 2𝑠 2 2𝑝6 3𝑠 2 3𝑝5

The last, unpaired electron has, 𝑛 = 3, 𝑙 = 1(𝑝) and 𝑚 can have any of the three value
(−1,0, +1).

21. Which electronic level would allow the hydrogen atom to absorb a photon but not
to emit a photon?

(a) 3 s
(c) 2𝑠
(b) 2𝑝
(d) 1𝑠

Solution:
 When electron jumps to lower orbit photons are emitted while photons are absorbed
when electron jumps to higher orbit. 1𝑠-orbital is the lower most, electron in this
orbital can absorb photons but cannot emit.

22. Correct set of four quantum numbers for the valence (outermost) electron of
rubidium (𝑍 = 37) is

1
(a) 5,0,0, + 2
1
(b) 5,1,0, + 2
1
(c) 5,1,1, + 2
1
(d) 6,0,0, +
2

Solution:

The valence shell configuration of Rubidium (Rb) is

1 1
[Kr]5𝑠1 𝑛 = 5, 𝑙 = 0, 𝑚 = 0, 𝑠 = + or −
2 2

23. The principal quantum number of an atom is related to the

(a) size of the orbital

(b) spin angular momentum

(c) orientation of the orbital in space

(d) orbital angular momentum

Solution:

The principal quantum number ' 𝑛 ' represents orbit number hence, determine the
size of orbitals.

24. Any 𝑝-orbital can accommodate upto

(a) four electrons

(b) six electrons

(c) two electrons with parallel spins

(d) two electrons with opposite spins

Solution:

According to Pauli exclusion principle, an atomic orbital can accommodate at the

most, two electrons, with opposite spins.

76
25. An isotone of 32 Ge is

77
(a) 32 Ge
77
(b) 33 As
77
(c) 34 Se
78
(d) 34 Se

Solution:

Isotones have same number of neutrons. 32 Ge76 , 33 As77 and 34 Se

78
have same
number (44) of neutrons, hence they are isotones.