Question

In Sommerfeld's atomic model, corres ponding to principal quantum number $n = 3$, there will be

• A. 3 elliptical orbits
• B. 3 circular or-bits
• C. 1 circular and 2 elliptical orbits
• D. 1 elliptical and 2 circular orbits

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

1 circular and 2 elliptical orbits

Answer 2

According to Sommerfeld model, quantum condition for the elliptical orbits
$\frac{b}{a} = \frac{K}{n}$
Here, $n = 3$, so for $n = 3$, possible value of $K = 1, 2, 3$
So, $\frac{b}{a} = \frac{3}{1}$ or $\frac{3}{2}$ or $\frac{3}{3}$
Hence, for $n = 3$ there are 1 circular and 2 elliptical orbits.