n2 ( E  E ) kT  ( E ex  E g )

 e ex g T  .
38.68: n1 n 
kln 2 
 n1 
 13.6 eV
E ex  E 2   3.4 eV.
4
E g  13.6 eV.
E ex  E g  10.2 eV  1.63  10 18 J.
n2
a)   10 12.
n1
 (1.63  10 18 J)
T   4275 K.
(1.38  10  23 J K ) ln(10 12 )
n2
b)   10 8.
n1
 (1.63  10 18 J)
T   6412 K.
(1.38  10  23 J K ) ln(10 8 )
n2
c)   10  4.
n1
 (1.63  10 18 J)
T   12824 K.
(1.38  10  23 J K ) ln(10  4 )
d) For absorption to take place in the Balmer series, hydrogen must start in the
n  2 state. From part (a), colder stars have fewer atoms in this state leading to weaker
absorption lines.