Spectral Lines and Series

[Meigan Wu 2E]

Why are spectral lines important? Why are the Balmer and Lyman series significant? I know the Balmer series represents visible light, and the Lyman series represents UV light, but why is that important?

[Meachelle_Lum_1I]

I think the only important thing to know here is that in each of these series, (Balmer/Lyman), the principle quantum number for the lower energy level is the same for each absorption line. That's why n=1 for all of Lyman series,etc.

[jonathanjchang2E]

A question might ask you to name the spectroscopic series to which the transition of radiation from n=4 to n=2 belongs and I guess you would just have to know that this transition belongs to the Balmer Series.

[Mallory_Podosin_1H]

Spectral lines show that wavelengths are emitted only at certain frequencies. Then by looking at those specific frequencies, you can figure out what the element is because every element has a unique set of spectral lines (wavelengths).