An anti-hydrogen atom is made using an antiproton and a positron. The spectral lines corresponding to the energy transitions of the positron are then measured. Which of the following statements, if any, are true?


A) The measured spectral lines will all be identical to those of normal hydrogen.
B) The measured spectral lines will all be different than those of normal hydrogen.
C) Some of the spectral lines will be the same as normal hydrogen, and others will be different.

Well, what do you think?

To answer this question, we need to understand the properties of antihydrogen and normal hydrogen and how they differ.

Normal hydrogen consists of a proton and an electron, while antihydrogen is made up of an antiproton and a positron. Antiprotons are the antiparticles of protons, carrying an equal but opposite charge, while positrons are the antiparticles of electrons, also carrying an opposite charge.

In normal hydrogen, the energy levels of the electron follow a specific pattern, and when the electron transitions between these energy levels, it emits or absorbs photons of specific frequencies, creating distinct spectral lines. These spectral lines form a unique pattern for normal hydrogen, known as the hydrogen spectrum.

However, in the case of antihydrogen, the energy transitions involve the positron instead of an electron. While positrons and electrons have opposite charges, they have the same mass. Therefore, the energy levels and transitions in antihydrogen are expected to be similar to those in normal hydrogen.

Based on this information, statement A) is true. The measured spectral lines for the energy transitions of the positron in anti-hydrogen will be identical to those of normal hydrogen.

Therefore, the correct answer is A) The measured spectral lines will all be identical to those of normal hydrogen.