## Spectral Lines and Energy Levels

H-Atom ($E_{n}=-\frac{hR}{n^{2}}$)

Ethan McCarthy 1F
Posts: 31
Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2019 12:17 am

### Spectral Lines and Energy Levels

When looking at the groups of spectral lines (i.e. the Lyman series), which line represents the lowest energy level? Is it the line with the widest gap or shortest gap?

Chem_Mod
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Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2011 1:53 pm
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### Re: Spectral Lines and Energy Levels

Hi, Ethan,
Since the energy is inversely proportional to the wavelength, the level with the highest wavelength (widest gap) will be the one with the lowest energy.

205458163
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: Spectral Lines and Energy Levels

The highest energy always with the shortest wavelength. I'm wondering what do you mean for the 'gap'?

George_Zhu
Posts: 29
Joined: Mon Jun 17, 2019 7:23 am

### Re: Spectral Lines and Energy Levels

If the energy level has the widest gap or interval, this is your mean i think, it should transfer for longer distance, and if it has long wavelength, it will have smaller frequency. The smaller the frequency it has, the lower energy it will take.