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I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from the fourth energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted from this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E2 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E1 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three occurrences of photon emission)

Is the textbook incorrect, or is it just my naïve understanding?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.

I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from the fourth energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted from this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E2 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E1 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three occurrences of photon emission)

Is the textbook incorrect, or is it just my naïve understanding getting in the way?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.

I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from the fourth energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted from this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E2 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E1 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three photons emitted)

Is the textbook incorrect, or am I doing it wrong?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.

I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from the fourth energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted from this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E2 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E1 (one occurrence of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two occurrences of photon emission)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three occurrences of photon emission)

Is the textbook incorrect, or is it just my naïve understanding?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.

I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted for this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E2 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E1 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three photons emitted)

Is the textbook incorrect, or am I doing it wrong?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.

I am currently studying atomic physics, and I encountered the question above.

I am posting this question because I can't afford to move on with even the tiniest bit of uncertainty in my understanding of the subject.

The question in question assumes that there is an atom with four (4) energy levels: E1, E2, E3, and E4, where E1 is the ground state level and E4 is the highest energy level of this particular atom.

Then, there is one electron at E4, and it asks in how many different ways a photon can be emitted as the electron transitions from the fourth energy level to a lower energy level.

Now, the textbook says that there are six (6) different ways a photon can be emitted from this atom. However, I always end up with seven (7) different ways a photon can be emitted, namely:

E4 to E3 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E2 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E1 (one photon emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E2 to E1 (two photons emitted)

E4 to E3 to E2 to E1 (three photons emitted)

Is the textbook incorrect, or am I doing it wrong?

P.S.: The model used here is the Bohr's model of the atom, which is an inaccurate description of the atom.