The maximum energy that a hydrogen atom can have is 0 J, at which point the electron is essentially removed from the atom; thus ionization occurs. How much energy ( in joules ) does it take to ionize a hydrogen atom? What wavelength to ionize a hydrogen?

1 Answer
Mar 26, 2015

The ground level of the hydrogen atom is at #-13.6 eV# or #-2.178×10^-18 J# which is the energy needed to take the electron from the ground level to the one at zero energy.

Using the relationship: #E=h*nu# you can find the frequency #nu# needed;
#nu=(2.178×10^-18)/(6.626×10^-34)=3.285×10^15 Hz# where #h# is Plank's constant.

but #c=lambda*nu# where #lambda# is the wavelength and #c# is the speed of light (#3×10^8 m/s#)..
So you get:
#lambda=c/(nu)=(3×10^8)/(3.285×10^15)=91.3nm#

Please check my maths!