The number of spectral lines when electron jumps from nth orbit to ground state:

The number of spectral lines when…

Answer: n(n-1)/2.

A n
B n-1
C n(n-1)/2
D n²

Correct answer: C. n(n-1)/2

Explanation: Transitions possible from n levels: any pair can transition. Total lines = n(n-1)/2 (combinations of 2 from n levels). Wait, for transitions from nth orbit to 1: possible intermediate stops give n(n-1)/2 total lines.

Comparison of the Thomson model and the Rutherford model of the atom: in the Thomson plum pudding model alpha particles pass almost straight through a diffuse positive sphere, while in the Rutherford model a concentrated central nucleus deflects some alpha particles through large angles, with the lower panels showing the alpha particle source and gold foil and the observed result of wide-angle scattering

The Geiger–Marsden alpha-scattering result: a few alpha particles bounce back at large angles, which rules out Thomson’s diffuse model and demands a tiny, massive, positively charged nucleus. Image: Kurzon, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Thomson's plum-pudding model, Rutherford's nuclear model from alpha-scattering, Bohr's postulates and hydrogen spectrum, spectral series (Lyman to Pfund), Rydberg formula, and limitations of each model.

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The number of spectral lines when electron jumps from nth orbit to ground state:

Concept context

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