# Problem: Which transition in a hydrogen atom would absorb the photon of greatest frequency?n = 3 to n = 1n = 6 to n = 2n = 2 to n = 9n = 35 to n = 2n = 12 to n = 6n = 1 to n = 4

###### FREE Expert Solution

We are asked which transition in a hydrogen atom would absorb the photon of greatest frequency

The larger the wavelength the smaller the frequency.

We’re going to use the Balmer Equation which relates wavelengths to a photon’s electronic transitions.

$\overline{)\frac{\mathbf{1}}{\mathbf{\lambda }}{\mathbf{=}}{{\mathbf{RZ}}}^{{\mathbf{2}}}\left(\frac{\mathbf{1}}{{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{2}}}_{\mathbf{final}}}\mathbf{-}\frac{\mathbf{1}}{{{\mathbf{n}}^{\mathbf{2}}}_{\mathbf{initial}}}\right)}$

λ = wavelength, m
R = Rydberg constant = 1.097x107 m-1
Z = atomic number of the element
ninitial = initial energy level
nfinal = final energy level

Absorbing energy means we go from lower to a higher level.

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###### Problem Details

Which transition in a hydrogen atom would absorb the photon of greatest frequency?

n = 3 to n = 1

n = 6 to n = 2

n = 2 to n = 9

n = 35 to n = 2

n = 12 to n = 6

n = 1 to n = 4