Page 1 of 1

Series of light

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:53 pm
by Jimmy lira-1G
I'm confused on what the difference is between the Lyman series and the Balmer series, I kind of understand it, but I just need clarification on the differences? Does the Balmer series in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum?
-Jimmy Lira 1-G

Re: Series of light

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 10:58 pm
by arina_m 1A
The Balmer series consists of the lines with n1=2 and is used for the lines in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum while the Lyman series is a set of lines in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum with n1=1.

Re: Series of light

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2018 11:13 pm
by 105012653 1F
Could you go in more depth? Still not sure too

Re: Series of light

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 12:49 pm
by Chem_Mod
These series are characterized by the final state (principal quantum number) that the electron of the H-atom from a higher energy state) fall to. the final principal quantum number is always n=1 for Lyman, n2 = for Balmer and so on.

Re: Series of light

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2018 4:10 pm
by RubyLake1F
Today in class he went into more detail on this and said that when an electron travels down energy levels to n=1 (the lowest energy level, making that large jump/drop in energy from n=2 to n=1) it is in the Lyman series. This electron will have a large energy transition and will therefore release a high energy photon (UV light). When an electron travels down from a higher energy to n=2, it is in the Balmer series. Its energy transition will be smaller and the photon it releases will have a lower energy (visible light).