Suppose a certain type of atom had just 5 different energy levels. How many different frequencies could be emitted by a gas composed of atoms of this type?
A) 4
B) 10
C) 25
D) 5
E) an infinite number

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The number of different frequencies emitted corresponds to the number of possible transitions between energy levels. With 5 energy levels, the number of possible transitions is given by the combination formula C(n, 2) = n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of energy levels. Thus, C(5, 2) = 5(5-1)/2 = 10.

Suppose a Certain Type of Atom Had Just 5 Different