Using the Bohr’s model calculate the speed of the electron in a hydrogen atom in the n = 1, 2, and 3 levels.

The orbital speed of an electron in a hydrogen atom, is given by the relation

v1 =


or v1 =


where ε0 is the absolute permittivity of free space and is given as = 8.854 × 10-12 N-1C2m-2


h is Planck’s constant and is given as 6.64 × 10-34 Js


substituting the values, we get


v1 =


On calculating, we get


v1 = 0.0218 × 108 m/s


Or v1 = 2.18 × 106 m/s


For n = 2


or v2 =


substituting the values, we get



On calculating, we get


v2 = 1.09 × 106 m/s


Similarly, for n = 3, we get


or v3 =


substituting the values, we get



On calculating, we get


v3 = 7.27 × 106 m/s


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