Wavelength to Series/ Wave type

[rachelle1K]

I know professor Lavelle wrote out easier numbers for us to remember wavelength as it relates to a certain type of wave. If someone could include it below that would be very much appreciated! Also, how do we know to use Balmer or Lymer series based on wavelength?

[Alexis Webb 2B]

The Balmer series is for wavelengths of visible light, which is roughly 400nm to 700nm, and the transition is to n=2. The Lyman series is for wavelengths in the UV region, which is 100 nm to 400 nm, and the transition is of higher energy and to n=1.

[Julieta Serobyan4D]

As Alexis mentioned,Lyman and Balmer uncovered set of lines. Later Bohr found that that lines were electron transitions. Lyman series correspond to an electron going back to the ground state of the hydrogen atom, which is n=1, and Balmer series correspond to transitions down to n=2, which means visible light.