Which of these statements accurately describes how the energy of an electron in the third orbit in a helium atom differs from the total energy of an electron in the third orbit in a hydrogen atom?
A)The energy of the electron in the third orbit in the helium atom is 2 times greater than the energy of the electron in the hydrogen atom.
B)The energy of the electron in the third orbit in the helium atom is 4 times greater than the energy of the electron in the hydrogen atom.
C)The energy of the electron in the third orbit in the helium atom is half the energy of the electron in the hydrogen atom.
D)The energy of the electron in the third orbit in the helium atom is one-quarter the energy of the electron in the hydrogen atom.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy levels of an electron in an atom are determined by the formula E_n = -Z^2 * R_H / n^2, where Z is the atomic number, R_H is the Rydberg constant for hydrogen, and n is the principal quantum number (the orbit number). For hydrogen (Z=1) and helium (Z=2), when comparing the same orbit (n=3), the energy for helium will be 4 times greater because the atomic number (Z) is squared in the formula, making the energy of an electron in the third orbit in helium 4 times greater than in hydrogen.

Which of These Statements Accurately Describes How the Energy of an Electron