## Atomic Spectra

$c=\lambda v$

605379296
Posts: 58
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:16 am

### Atomic Spectra

I just want a couple of clarifications:
1. Biggest gap/ difference in energy levels results in the UV region, Lyman Series?
2. Short gaps/ difference in energy levels usually result in the infrared, visible region called the Balmer Series?

205296774
Posts: 66
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

Yeah, that's correct. Also, In my notes, I specifically have that UV results from n=1 (biggest gap) and then visible light from n=2 and infrared from n=3.

Emily_4B
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:21 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

Yes, in the Lyman series an electron goes from n ≥ 2 to n = 1, while in the balmer series an electron goes from n ≥ 3 to n = 2.

SGonzales_3L
Posts: 55
Joined: Thu Jul 11, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

If I remember correctly, the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum is not included in the Balmer series.

sarahsalama2E
Posts: 164
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

Correct, the UV region has the highest transition for electrons, which is from n=1 --> n=2.
you can remember that this has the biggest difference, because the UV region also has the higher frequency and energy (frequency and energy are directly related, aka proportional.

The Visible and Infared region have lower jumps for the electrons. The visible region ends in N=2 level, which means jumps such as n=3--> n=2 happen.
The infared region ends in n=3 level, which means jumps such as n=4--> n=3 happen.

805097738
Posts: 180
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:20 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

Will we be expected to memorize this for any tests? How important is this information?

Junxi Feng 3B
Posts: 52
Joined: Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

Yes for both of the questions.
Going from n=6 to n=2 gives the purple light, from n= 5 to n=2 gives the blue, and so on. All these lights are in visible regions.
But going from n=2 to n=1 will give a even shorter wavelength, which is in the UV region.

Tooba_1A
Posts: 11
Joined: Wed Sep 11, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: Atomic Spectra

This is correct, the UV gap is the biggest and the most dramatic in drop of energy as it it from between n=1 and n=2. The other gaps are much closer around about n=5 which falls under visible and infrared, the drop in energy is much more dramatic.