An electron with energy 12.09 eV strikes a hydrogen atom in its ground state and gives all its energy to the hydrogen atom. Therefore, the hydrogen atom is excited to its excited state.

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Accepted Answer

(3) second. Given: the atom starts in the ground state, E₁=-13.6 eV, and absorbs 12.09 eV. Idea: the new energy is E₁+12.09 eV; find the level with that energy from Eₙ=-(13.6)/(n²) eV. E=-13.6+12.09=-1.51 eV. (13.6)/(n²)=1.51 gives n²=9, so n=3. Counting from the ground state (n=1), n=2 is the first excited state and n=3 is the second excited state. So the atom is raised to its second excited state.

An electron with energy 12.09 eV strikes a hydrogen atom in its ground state and gives all its energy to the hydrogen atom. Therefore, the hydrogen atom is excited to its _____ excited state.

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