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QPages 383-384: Q1: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Bohr's Model and Physics of the Atom Pages 383-384: Q1 Solution: In a laboratory experiment on emission from atomic hydrogen in…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often incorrectly attribute the number of spectral lines to the total amount of hydrogen or pressure, but the key factor is temperature. Higher temperatures provide sufficient kinetic energy to excite electrons to higher energy levels, resulting in more possible transitions and thus more spectral lines.

In a laboratory experiment on emission from atomic hydrogen in a discharge tube, only a small number of lines are observed whereas a large number of lines are present in the hydrogen spectrum of a star. This is because in a laboratory

Multiple Choice Options

  • A the amount of hydrogen taken is much smaller than that present in the star
  • B the temperature of hydrogen is much smaller than that of the star
  • C the pressure of hydrogen is much smaller than that of the star
  • D the gravitational pull is much smaller than that in the star

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** (b) the temperature of hydrogen is much smaller than that of the star. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** In a laboratory, the temperature is low, so only a few energy levels are excited. In a star, the high temperature excites many levels, producing many spectral lines.

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