A hydrogen atom in an excited state emits a Balmer beta photon followed by a Lyman alpha photon. The electron decayed from the third excited state to the first excited state to the ground state. True or False.

True :)

To determine whether the statement is true or false, we need to understand the energy levels and transitions of a hydrogen atom.

The energy levels in a hydrogen atom are labeled with principal quantum numbers, where n=1 corresponds to the ground state, n=2 corresponds to the first excited state, n=3 corresponds to the second excited state, and so on.

The Balmer series refers to the set of electron transitions within a hydrogen atom that involve an electron starting in a higher energy level and dropping down to the second excited state (n=2). The Balmer beta transition occurs when an electron drops from the third excited state (n=4) to the second excited state (n=2), emitting a photon.

On the other hand, the Lyman series refers to electron transitions within a hydrogen atom that involve an electron starting in a higher energy level and dropping down to the ground state (n=1). The Lyman alpha transition occurs when an electron drops from the first excited state (n=2) to the ground state (n=1), emitting a photon.

Based on the given information, it is stated that the hydrogen atom emitted a Balmer beta photon followed by a Lyman alpha photon. This means that the initial transition was from the third excited state (n=4) to the second excited state (n=2), and then from the second excited state (n=2) to the ground state (n=1). Therefore, the statement is false.

To arrive at this conclusion, you need to have a basic understanding of the energy levels and transitions of a hydrogen atom, as well as knowledge of the Balmer and Lyman series.