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QPages 384-386: Q5: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Bohr's Model and Physics of the Atom Pages 384-386: Q5 Solution: Find the binding energy of a hydrogen atom in the state .

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

Students often confuse the total energy of the state (which is negative, $-3.4$ eV) with the binding energy (which is the positive magnitude, $3.4$ eV). Remember that binding energy represents the energy required to remove the electron to infinity, so it must always be reported as a positive value.

Find the binding energy of a hydrogen atom in the state n=2n = 2.

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** Binding energy in n = 2 state = 3.4 eV. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** The binding energy is the magnitude of the energy of the state:
En=−13.6n2 eVE_n = -\frac{13.6}{n^2} \text{ eV}
For n = 2: E2=−13.6/4=−3.4E_2 = -13.6/4 = -3.4 eV. Binding energy = 3.4 eV [citation:3].

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