Question

How much energy is required to ionise a H atom if the electron occupies n = 5 orbit? Compare your answer with the ionization enthalpy of H atom (energy required to remove the electron from n =1 orbit).

Answer 1

The expression of energy is given by,

Where,

Z = atomic number of the atom

n = principal quantum number

For ionization from n₁ = 5 to ,

Hence, the energy required for ionization from n = 5 to n = is 8.72 × 10^–20 J.

Energy required for n₁ = 1 to n = ,

Hence, less energy is required to ionize an electron in the 5^th orbital of hydrogen atom as compared to that in the ground state.