CBSE WORLD

Chapter 12 Atoms
NCERT Solution Part -1
Question 1:
Choose the correct alternative from the clues given at the end of the each statement:
(a) The size of the atom in Thomson's model is -------- the atomic size in Rutherford's model.
(much greater than/no different from/much than.)
(b) In the ground state of ------------ electrons are in stable equilibrium, while in …….

D
electrons always experience a net force. (Thomson's model/ Rutherford's model.)
(c) A classical atom based on ---------- is doomed to collapse. (Thomson's model/
Rutherford's model.)
(d) An atom has a nearly continuous mass distribution in a--------- but has a highly non-

RL
uniform mass distribution in _____ (Thomson's model/ Rutherford's model.)
(e) The positively charged part of the atom possesses most of the mass in ---------
(Rutherford's model/both the models.)

Solution 1:

order of magnitude.
O
(a) The sizes of the atoms taken in Thomson's model and Rutherford's model have the same

(b) In the ground state of Thomson's model, the electrons are in stable equilibrium. However,
W
in Rutherford's model, the electrons always experience a net force.
(c) A classical atom based on Rutherford's model is doomed to collapse.
(d) An atom has a nearly continuous mass distribution in Thomson's model, but has a highly
non-uniform mass distribution in Rutherford's model.
(e) The positively charged part of the atom possesses most of the mass in both the models.
SE

Question 2:
Suppose you are given a chance to repeat the alpha-particle scattering experiment using
CB

a thin sheet of solid hydrogen in place of the gold foil. (Hydrogen is a solid at
temperatures below 14 K.) What results do you expect?

Solution 2:
In the alpha-particle scattering experiment, if a thin sheet of solid hydrogen is used in
place of a gold foil, then the scattering angle would not be large enough. This is
because the mass of hydrogen is less than the mass of incident � —particles
Thus, the mass of the scattering particle is more than the target nucleus (hydrogen). As
a result, the �particles would not bounce back if solid hydrogen is used in the a-
particle scattering experiment and so we cannot determine size of the hydrogen

1
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

nucleus.

Question 3:

D
What is the shortest wavelength present in the Paschen series of spectral lines?
Solution 3:
Rydberg’s Formula is given as:
 1 1 

RL
hc 19
21.76
10
n12 n22 
  
Where,
h Planck’s constant = 6.6 34 Js
10
10 8 m /s
c  Speed of light = 3
( n1 and n2 are integers) O
The shortest wavelength present in the Paschen series of the spectral lines is for values n1 3
W
and n2 

hc  1
19
1 
21.76 
10  2  2 
   
 3

10 34 
6.6  3 10 8 9
 10 19
21.76 
SE

10 7 m
8.189 
818.9nm
CB

Question 4:
A difference of 2.3 eV separates two energy levels in an atom. What is the frequency of
radiation emitted when the atom makes a transition from the upper level to the lower level?

Solution 4:
Separation of two energy levels in an atom,
E 2.3 eV
19
2.3 
1.6 10
10 19 J
3.68

2
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

Let �be the frequency of radiation emitted when the atom transits from the upper level to the
lower level.
We have the relation for energy as:
E hv
Where,
10 34 Js
h  Planck’s constant 6.62
E

v

D
h
3.68 1019 14
 6.62 1032 5.55 10 Hz


RL
10 14 Hz.
Hence, the frequency of the radiation is 5.6

Question 5:
The ground state energy of hydrogen atom is
energies of the electron in this state?
O 13.6 eV . What are the kinetic and potential
W
Solution 5:
Ground state energy of hydrogen atom, E 13.6 eV
This is the total energy of a hydrogen atom. Kinetic energy is equal to the negative of the total
energy.
 13.613.6eV
Kinetic energy E 
SE

Potential energy is equal to the negative of two times of kinetic energy.

2 13.627.2eV
Potential energy = 
CB

Question 6:
A hydrogen atom initially in the ground level absorbs a photon, which excites it to the n 4
level. Determine the wavelength and frequency of the photon.

Solution 6:
For ground level, n1 1
Let E1 be the energy of this level. It is known that E1 is related with n1 as:

3
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

E1   2 eV
13.6
n1
13.6
 12 13.6eV
The atom is excited to a higher level, n2 4
Let E2 be the energy of this level.

D
13.6
E2  n2 eV
2

13.6 13.6
 42  16 eV

RL
The amount of energy absorbed by the photon is given as:
E E2 E1
13.6  13.6 
 16   1 
 
13.6 15
 16 eV
13.6 15 19
 16 1.6 10 2.04 10 J
18
O
W
For a photon of wavelength , the expression of energy is written as:
hc
E 

Where,
SE

h Planck’s constant = 6.6 10 34 Js

3 10 8 m /s
c  Speed of light 
hc
 E

6.6 1034 
3 10 8
CB

 2.04 10 18


8
9.7 10 m 97nm
And, frequency of a photon is given by the relation,
c
v 

10 8
3  15
9.7 108 3.1
10 Hz

10 15 Hz.
Hence, the wavelength of the photon is 97 nm while the frequency is 3.1

4
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

Question 7:
(a) Using the Bohr’s model calculate the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the
n 1, 2and 3 levels
(b) Calculate the orbital period in each of these levels.

Solution 7:
(a) Let v1 be the orbital sped of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the ground state level

D
n1 1 . For charge (e) of an electron, v1 is given by the relation,
e2 e2
v1   2 h
 
n1 4 0 h 0

RL
2 
Where,
10 19 C
e 1.6

0 Permittivity of free space = 8.85 10 12 N C
1 2
m 2

h  Planck’s constant 6.6210 34 Js

v1

 12  34
2 8.85 
0.0218 
8
10
1.6 

10 2.18 
10 19

6.62 
6
10 m /s
10
2
O
W
For level n2 2 , we can write the relation for the corresponding orbital speed as:
e2
v2 
n2 2 0 h
2


1.6 1019
2 2 8.85 10 12 6.62 1034

SE

   
6
1.09 10 m /s
And, for n3 3 , we can write the relation for the corresponding orbital speed as:
e2
v3 
n3 2 0 h
CB


1.6 1019

3 2 8.85 10 12 6.62 1034
   
5
7.27 10 m /s
Hence, the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in n 1,n 2 and n 3 is
2.1810 6 m /s ,1.0910 6 m /s ,7.27 
10 5 m /s respectively.
(b) Let T1 be the orbital period of the electron when it is in level n1 1. Orbital period is
related to orbital speed as:

5
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

T1  1
2 r
v1
Where,
r1  Radius of the orbit
n12h 2 0
 me 2

10 34 Js
h  Planck’s constant = 6.62

D
10 19 C
e Charge on a electron = 1.6

0 Permittivity of free space = 8.8510 12 N C
1 2
m 2

10 31 kg
m  Mass of an electron = 9.1

RL
2 r1

T1
v1
2

 8.85 10
2
2 
1  6.62 
10 34 12

 2
 
10 6  9.1
2.18  10 31 1.6 
10 19

17
15.27 10 1.527 10 s
16

For level n2 2, we can write the period as:

T2  2
2 r
O
W
v2
Where,
r2 Radius of the electron in n2 2
2
  h 2 0
2
n2

me
SE

2 r2

T2
v2
2

 8.85 10
2
2 2   6.62 1034 12

 2
 
1.09 106  9.1
10 31 19
1.6 10
CB

15
1.22 10 s
And, for level n3 3, we can write the period as:

T3  3
2 r
v3
Where,
r3 Radius of the electron in n3 3

6
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms



n3  h 2 0
2
me
2 r3

T3
v3
2

 10 8.85 10
2
2 3  6.62  34 12

 2
 
7.27 105  9.1
10 31 1.6 
10 19

D
10 15 s
4.12 
10 16 s , 1.2210 15 s, and
Hence, the orbital period in each of these levels is 1.52
10 15 s respectively.
4.12

RL
Question 8:
10 11 m . What are the
O
The radius of the innermost electron orbit of a hydrogen atom is
radii of the n 2 and n 3 orbits?
5.3
W
Solution 8:
The radius of the innermost orbit of a hydrogen atom, r1 5.3  10 11 m. Let r2 be the radius of
the orbit at n 2 . It is related to the radius of the innermost orbit as:
2
 
r2  n r1

4 5.310 11 2.12 

10 10 m
SE

For n 3, we can write the corresponding electron radius as:

2
 
r3  n r1
10 11 4.77 
9 5.3 10 10 m
10 10 m and 4.77 
Hence, the radii of an electron for n 2 and n3 orbits are 2.12 10 10 m
CB

respectively.

Question 9:
A 12.5 eV electron beam is used to bombard gaseous hydrogen at room temperature. What
series of wavelengths will be emitted?

Solution 9:
It is given that the energy of the electron beam used to bombard gaseous hydrogen at room

7
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

temperature is 12.5 eV. Also, the energy of the gaseous hydrogen in its ground State at room
temperature is -13.6 eV.
When gaseous hydrogen is bombarded with an electron beam, the energy of the gaseous
hydrogen becomes - 13.6 + 12.5 eV i e ,-1.1eV.
Orbital energy is related to orbit level (n) as:
E   2 eV
13.6

 
n

D
For n 3, E 
13.6
9 
1.5eV

This energy is approximately equal to the energy of gaseous hydrogen. It can be concluded

RL
that the electron has jumped from n = 1 to n = 3 level.
During its de-excitation, the electrons can jump from n = 3 to n = 1 directly, which forms a
line of the Lyman series of the hydrogen spectrum.
We have the relation for wave number for Lyman series as:
1  1 1 
Ry 12 n 2 

Where,
 

Ry  Rydberg constant 1.097

O
10 7 m1
W
 Wavelength of radiation emitted by the transition of the electron
For n 3 , we can obtain as:
1 7  1 1 
1.097 10 12 32 
  
7  1  8
SE

7
1.097 10 1 9 1.097 10 9
 
9
8 1.097 107 102.55nm
 
CB

If the transition takes place from n 3 to n 2 , and then from n =2 to n = 1, then the
wavelength of the radiation 3emitted in transition from n = 3 to n = 2 is given as :
1 7  1 1 
1.097 10 22 32 
  
7 1 1  7 5
1.097 10 4 9 1.097 10 36
 
36
5 1.097 107 656.33nm
 
This radiation corresponds to the Balmer series of the hydrogen spectrum.

8
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

The wavelength of the radiation when transition takes place from n 2 to n 1,is given as:
1 7  1 1 
1.097 10 12 22 
  
7  1  7 3
1.097 10 1 4 1.097 10 4
 
4

D
1.097 107 3 121.54nm
 
Hence, in Lyman series, two wavelengths i.e.,102.5 nm and 121.5nm are emitted. And in the
Blamer series, one wavelength ie., 656.33 nm is emitted.

RL
Question 10:
In accordance with the Bohr’s model, find the quantum number that characterizes the earth’s


10 4 m /s Mass of earth 6.0 
3  10 24 kg.

O 10 11 m
revolution around the sun in an orbit of radius 1.5 with orbital speed
W
Solution 10:
10 11 m
Radius of the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, r 1.5
3 10 4 m /s
Orbital speed of the Earth, v 
10 24 kg
Mass of the Earth, m 6.0
According to Bohr’s model, angular momentum is quantized and given as:
SE

nh
mvr 
2 
Where,
h  Planck’s Constant 6.62 10 34 Js
CB

n= Quantum Number
mvr 2 

n
h
6 1024 
2  3 10 4 1.5 
10 11
 6.62 1034
25.61 10 73 2.6 1074
10 74
Hence, the quantum number that characterizes the Earth’s Revolution is 2.6

9
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

Additional Exercise

Question 11:
Answer the following questions, which help you understand the difference between Thomson's
model and Rutherford's model better.

D
(a) Is the average angle of deflection of -particles by a thin gold foil predicted by
Thomson's model much less, about the same, or much greater than that predicted by
Rutherford's model?

RL
(b) Is the probability of backward scattering (i.e., scattering of a-particles at angles greater
than 90°) predicted by Thomson's model much less, about the same, or much greater
than that predicted by Rutherford's model?
(c) Keeping other factors fixed, it is found experimentally that for small thickness t, the
number of �-particles scattered at moderate angles is proportional to t. What clue does
this linear dependence on t provide?
O
(d) In which model is it completely wrong to ignore multiple scattering for the calculation
of average angle of scattering of �-particles by a thin foil?
W
Solution 11:
(a) about the same
The average angle of deflection of �-particles by a thin gold foil predicted by
Thomson's model is about the same size as predicted by Rutherford's model. This is
because the average angle was taken in both models.
SE

(b) Much less

The probability of scattering of �-particles at angles greater than 90° predicted by
Thomson's model is much less than that predicted by Rutherford's model.
(c) Scattering is mainly due to single collisions. The chances of a single collision
increases linearly with the number of target atoms. Since the number of target atoms
CB

increase with an increase in thickness, the collision probability depends linearly on the
thickness of the target.
(d) Thomson's model
It is wrong to ignore multiple scattering in Thomson's model for the calculation of
average angle of scattering of �particles by a thin foil. This is because a single
collision causes very little deflection in this model. Hence, the observed average
scattering angle can be explained only by considering multiple scattering.

10
Question 12:
The gravitational attraction between electron and proton in a hydrogen atom is weaker than the
coulomb attraction by a factor of about 10 –40. An alternative way of looking at this fact is to
estimate the radius of the first Bohr Orbit of a hydrogen atom if the electron and proton were
bound by gravitational attraction. You will find the answer interesting.

Solution 12:

D
Radius of the first Bohr orbit is given by the relation,
2
h
4 0  
2 
r1    ..
1

RL
me e2
Where,

0 Permittivity of free space

10 34 Js
h Planck’s constant = 6.63
me Mass of an electron 9.110 31kg
10 19 C
e  Charge of an electron = 1.9
10 27 kg
m p  Mass of a proton 1.67
O
W
r Distance between the electron and the proton
Coulomb attraction between an electron and a proton is given as:
e2
Fc  .. 2 
4 0 r 2
Gravitational force of attraction between an electron and a proton is given as:
SE

Gm pm e
FG  .. 
3
r2
Where,
G Gravitational constant 6.67 10 11 Nm2 / kg2
CB

The electrostatic (Coulomb) force and the gravitational force between an electron and a proton
are equal, then we can write:
FG FC
Gm pm e e2
r2  2
0 r
e2
4
0
Gm pm e 4 
Putting the value of equation (4) in equation (1), we get:

11
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

2
 h 
2 
r1   2
Gmpm e
2
34
6.63 10 
 2 3.14 
    1.21 
10 29
m
2

 

11 
27
6.67 10 1.67 10  9.1  10 31

D
It is known that the universe is 156 billion light years wide or 1.5 × 10 27m wide. Hence, we
can conclude that the radius of the first Bohr orbit is much greater than the estimated size of
the whole universe.

RL
Question 13:
Obtain an expression for the frequency of radiation emitted when a hydrogen atom de-excites
from level n to level ( n– l). For large
O
n, show that this frequency equals the classical
frequency of revolution of the electron in the Orbit.
W
Solution 13:
It is given that a hydrogen atom de-excites from an upper level (n) to a lower level n 1
We have the relation for energy (E l) Of radiation at level n as:
hme4  1  ... i
E1 hv1  3  2 
h  n  
3 2

4  0 2 
SE

 
Where,
v1 Frequency of radiation at level n
h  Planck’s constant
CB

m Mass of hydrogen atom

e Charge on an electron

0 Permittivity of free space

Now, the relation for energy E2 of radiation at level n 1is given as:
hme4 1
E2 hv2  3  2
..ii 
4  0 2   
3 2 h
  n 
1
 
Where,

12
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

v2  Frequency of radiation at level n 1

Energy E released as a result of de-excitation:
E E2 E1
hv E2 E1... iii
 
Where,
v Frequency of radiation emitted

D
Putting values from equations (i) and (ii) in equation (iii), we get:

v 
me 4  1 1 
3   n 2 
 h   1
n
3 2


RL
  0 2 
4
 
me 4 2n 1
 3
3 2
 h  2 2
4  0 2  n n 1
 
For large n, we can write 2n 12n and

v

me4
h
32     n
3
O
n 1
..iv 
n.
W
3 2 3
0
2 
 
Classical relation of frequency of revolution of an electron is given as:
v
vc 
2 r
Where,
SE

Velocity of the electron in the nth orbit is given as;

e2
v  ..vi 
 h 
4 0 n
2 

 
CB

And, radius of the nth orbit is given as:

2
h
4 0  
2  2
r    n ...vii 
me2
Putting the values of equations (vi) and (vii) in equation (v), we get:
me4
vc  3
...viii
3 2  h  3
32  0 n
2 
 
Hence, the frequency of radiation emitted by the hydrogen atom is equal to its classical orbital

13
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

frequency.

Question 14:
Classically, an electron can be in any orbit around the nucleus of an atom. Then what
determines the typical atomic size? Why is an atom not, say, thousand times bigger than its

D
typical size? The question had greatly puzzled Bohr before he arrived at his famous model of
the atom that you have learnt in the text. To simulate what he might well have done before his
discovery, let us play as follows with the basic constants of nature and see if we can get a

RL
quantity with the dimensions of length that is roughly equal to the known size of an atom
( 10-10m).
(a) Construct a quantity with the dimensions of length from the fundamental constants e, me ,
and c. Determine its numerical value.
(b) You will find that the length obtained in (a) is many orders of magnitude smaller than the
O
atomic dimensions. Further, it involves c. But energies of atoms are mostly in non-relativistic
domain where c is not expected to play any role. This is what may have suggested Bohr to
discard c and look for ‘something else' to get the right atomic size. NOW, the Planck's constant
W
h had already made its appearance elsewhere. Bohr’s great insight lay in recognising that h,
me, and e will yield the right atomic size. Construct a quantity with the dimension of length
from h, m e, and e and confirm that its numerical value has indeed the correct order of
magnitude.
SE

Solution 14:
(a) Charge on an electron, 1.6 10 19C
10 31 kg
Mass Of an electron, me 9.1
3 10 8 m /s
Speed of light, c 
CB

 e2 
The quantity having dimensions of length and involving the given quantities is
4 0 me c2 
  
Where,

0 Permittivity of free space

1
And, 9 10 9 Nm 2C 2
4 0  
The numerical value of the taken quantity will be:
1 e2
4 0 me c2

14
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

2
9
9 10 
 1.6 1019
 
8 2
 
9.1
10 31 3 
10
10 m 15
2.81
Hence, the numerical value of the taken quantity is much smaller than the typical size of an
atom,
10 19 C
(b) charge on an electron, e 1.6

D
Mass of an electron, me 9.110 31 kg
10 34 Js
Planck’s constant, h 6.63
2
4 0 
h 

RL
2 
Let us take a quantity involving the given quantities as  2  
mee
Where, 
0 Permittivity of free space

1
And, 10 9 Nm 2C 2
9 
4 0
The numerical value of the taken quantity will be:

 h 
2
O
W
2 
4 
0
 
m0e 2
2
10 34 
6.63 
1  2 3.14 
9 10 9    2
SE


 
9.1 
31
10  1.6  10 19
10 10 m
0.53 
Hence, the value of the quantity taken is of the order of the atomic size.
CB

Question 15:
The total energy of an electron in the first excited state of the hydrogen atom is about -3.4 eV.
(a) What is the kinetic energy of the electron in this state?
(b) What is the potential energy of the electron in this state?
(c) Which of the answers above would change if the choice of the zero of potential
energy is changed?

Solution 15:

15
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

(a) Total energy of the electron, E -3.4 eV

Kinetic energy of the electron is equal to the negative Of the total energy.
K
 E

 3.43.4eV

Hence, the kinetic energy of the electron in the given state is +3.4 eV.
(b) Potential energy (U) of the electron is equal to the negative of twice of its kinetic energy

U 2K

D

2 3.4 6.8 eV
Hence, the potential energy of the electron in the given state is - 6.8 eV.
(c) The potential energy of a system depends on the reference point taken. Here, the potential

RL
energy of the reference point is taken as zero. If the reference point is changed, then the
value of the potential energy of the system also changes. Since total energy is the sum of
kinetic and potential energies, total energy of the system will also change.

Question 16: O
If Bohr's quantization postulate (angular momentum = nh/2n) is a basic law of nature, it should
be equally valid for the case of planetary motion also. Why then do we never speak of
W
quantization of orbits of planets around the sun?

Solution 16:
We never speak of quantization of orbits of planets around the Sun because the angular
momentum associated with planetary motion is largely relative to the value of constant ( h).
SE

70
The angular momentum of the Earth in its orbit is of the order of 10 h. This leads to a very
70
high value of quantum levels n of the order of 10 . For large values of n, successive energies
and angular momenta are relatively very small. Hence, the quantum levels for planetary
motion are considered continuous.
CB

Question 17:
Obtain the first Bohr's radius and the ground state energy of a muonichydrogen atom [i.e., an

 
atom in which a negatively charged muon  of mass about 207 me. orbits around a proton].

Solution 17:

16
 Class XII – NCERT – Physics Chapter 12
Atoms

Mass of a negatively charged muon , m  207 m

According to Bohr’s model,

Bohr radius re  

1
me 
 
And, energy of a ground state electronic hydrogen atom, Ee me ,
Also, energy of a ground state muonic hydrogen atom, E  me ,

D
We have the value of the first Bohr orbit, re 0.53 A 0.53 
10 10 m
Let r be the radius of muonic hydrogen atom.

RL
At equilibrium, we can write the relation as:
m 
r mere
207 me r  mere
0.53 
10 10
13

r 
207 2.56 10 m

O 10 13 m.
Hence, the value of the first Bohr radius of muonic hydrogen atom is 2.56
We have,
Ee 13.6eV
W
Take the ratio of these energies as:
Ee me me
 
E  m  207me
E 207Ee
SE

 13.62.81keV
207 
Hence, the ground state energy of a muonic hydrogen atom is – 2.81 keV.
CB

17