Question on 1A 11

[Jamie Lee 1H]

In the spectrum of atomic hydrogen, several lines are generally classified together as belonging to a series. What iscommon to the lines within a series that makes grouping themtogether logical?

[805422680]

The Balmer and Lyman series are series defined by the final position of the electron, after a photon is emitted. The Lyman series involve jumps to or from the ground state (n=1); the Balmer series (in which all the lines are in the visible region) corresponds to n=2.

[ishaa Diwakar 4E]

The grouping is also most likely determined by the wavelengths of the emitted photons, which are grouped based on UV light (Lyman) and visible light (Balmer).

[Althea Zhao 1B]

Lines within a series share a principal quantum number, n.

[Gabriella Bates 2L]

The grouping has to do with both the wavelength of the emitted photon and the quantum level. The lyman involves jumps to or from the n=1 energy level. Therefore, the change in energy will be greater, causing the emitted photon to have a larger frequency and therefore a smaller wavelength. Thus, the lyman series emits photons in the UV spectrum. In contrast, the balmer series involves jumps to or from the n=2 energy level. Therefore, the change in energy will be slightly smaller, causing the emitted photon to have a smaller frequency and therefore a longer wavelength. Thus, the balmer series emits photons in the visible spectrum.