Lyman vs. Balmer Series

[Nane Onanyan 1G]

How can we tell if a problem requires using the Lyman or Balmer series (for example if we have to know the ground state) based on wavelength?

[Kyle Walsh 2J]

Hi! The Lyman and Balmer series just have different wavelength ranges associated with them, and unfortunately I think that's something we just have to memorize. I believe Lyman is 94-122 nm while Balmer is 410-656 nm. You could also figure out what series it is if a type of light is given, as Lyman is in the UV range while Balmer is in the visible spectrum. Hope this helps!

[Rose_Malki_3G]

If light is in the visible region (Balmer series), then the transition involves the n = 2 stage. Where as all traditions involving n =1 are with the ultra violet region (Lyman series)

[ALee_1J]

Also, adding on to the previous replies... you may want to be careful of problems that say stuff like "blue light" or "red line" etc. bc that in itself is information. I skipped over it bc I had thought it was nonessential info, but that's telling you what type of series it is. Bc the Balmer series emits visible light, blue light or red light is considered to be part of the Balmer Series and therefore the wavelength will be from 400 to 700 nm.

[Alen Huang 2G]

Lyman series involves electrons jumping down to the first energy level and this is usually UV light while Balmer series involves electrons jumping down to the second energy level and this is usually light in the visible region.

[Chris_Butler_1A]

Hi! The Lyman and Balmer series just have different wavelength ranges associated with them, and unfortunately I think that's something we just have to memorize. I believe Lyman is 94-122 nm while Balmer is 410-656 nm. You could also figure out what series it is if a type of light is given, as Lyman is in the UV range while Balmer is in the visible spectrum. Hope this helps!

I imagine this may be a simple question but do these values apply specifically to Hydrogen or will these nm ranges apply to all atoms we would potentially test? For example, would these values stay the same if we tested an atom of Oxygen? Appreciate the help!