Question about Balmer Series [ENDORSED]

[Isa Samad 1L]

So as I understand, the Balmer series is a particular Hydrogen spectral series when an electron moves from a higher energy level to n=2. My question then is after reaching the energy level of n=2, would the electron then travel down to n=1 as that is ground state and thus, emit another form of EM radiation?

[Gianna Apoderado 1B]

Hi! Since we are referring to the Balmer series, after the excited electron moves from a higher energy level back down to n=2, it does not move down to n=1, because then we'd be referring to the Lyman series. I've included a link to an image similar to the one shown in Friday's lecture, which hopefully will clarify the subject. I hope that helps!

[aaron tang 2K]

The Balmer series begins at n=2, if the electron is going down from n=2 to n=1, it would be considered the Lyman series.