Energy Level Calculator

| Added in Physics

What is Energy Level and Why Should You Care?

An energy level is a fixed amount of energy that systems like molecules, atoms, and electrons can possess. Think of it as stepping stones for electrons in an atom, where each stone is a specific energy level the electron can stand on.

Everything from the glow of neon lights to the functioning of your smartphone's screen relies on understanding these energy transitions. Knowing how to calculate these energy levels can give you insights into the quantum world.

How to Calculate Energy Level

For a hydrogen atom, the formula is:

[E = - \frac{13.6 \text{ eV}}{n^2}]

Where:

  • Energy (E) is the energy in electron volts (eV)
  • n is the principal quantum number representing the electron's orbit

Calculation Example

Calculate the energy level for an electron in the 4th orbit (n=4):

[E = - \frac{13.6 \text{ eV}}{4^2} = - \frac{13.6 \text{ eV}}{16} = -0.85 \text{ eV}]

The energy level of an electron in the 4th orbit is -0.85 eV.

Energy Level Reference Table

n (Level) Energy (eV)
1 -13.6
2 -3.4
3 -1.51
4 -0.85
5 -0.54

The energy decreases (becomes less negative) as the nth level increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

An energy level is a fixed amount of energy that systems like molecules, atoms, and electrons can possess. It represents the specific energy states an electron can occupy.

The principal quantum number (n) represents the electron orbit level in an atom. Higher values indicate electrons farther from the nucleus.

Negative energy values indicate that energy must be added to free the electron from the atom. The ground state has the most negative value because it is most tightly bound.

The value 13.6 eV is the ionization energy of hydrogen, the energy required to completely remove an electron from a hydrogen atom in its ground state.