Question

Consider the three hydrogen-atom states $6p,5d$ and $4f$. Which has the highest energy?

Short answer

The highest energy is in the$6p$state.

Step-by-step solution

Given Information

We need to find the highest energy in the three hydrogen-atom states$6p,5dand4f$.

Simplify

Now, finding the highest energy in the three hydrogen-atom states $6p,5dand4f$.

The state $6p$has the higher energy, because $E=\frac{-13.6eV}{n^2}$. Here , depends on only the principal of a quantum number $n$:

Therefore,

$\frac{-13.6eV}{6^2}>\frac{-13.6eV}{5^2}>\frac{-13.6eV}{4^2}$

Hence, The highest energy is in$6p$state.