Lyman vs Balmer Series

[Sofia Cerpa 2E]

how do you know when a spectral line belongs to either the Lyman or Balmer Series?

[Wilson Zheng 1L]

Lyman is when you have n=1 (UV region where the wavelength is less than 400 nm) and Balmer is where n =2 (Visible region where the wavelength is between 400 and 700 nm!

[Desiree Eshraghi 3A]

I recommend looking up a picture of the wavelength spectrum as it visually clarifies how to distinguish the two.

[Nathalia Garibay 1D]

Lyman is when an electron falls from n_> 2 to n=1. Balmer is when an electron falls from n_> 3 to n=2. Electrons that fall in the Lyman series emit higher amounts of energy such as UV. Electrons that fall in the Balmer series do not emit as much energy. Visible light falls in the Balmer series.

[Emma Goellner 2I]

Yes, I agree with what someone already said, which is to look up a picture or chart of the different wavelengths and which series they correspond with :)

[Erin Chin 1L]

Hi there! Lyman is when an electron falls to the n=1 energy level, and it lies in the UV region. Balmer is when an electron falls to the n=2 energy level and it lies in the visible light region.

[Tylina Guo 1K]

It depends on the energy level that the electron falls to. For Lyman it falls on n=1 and Balmer is n=2.

[Grace_Wu]

Lyman series have the initial electron state at n=1, it is usually in the UV region and have wavelength from 121nm-97nm. And Balmer series have the initial electron state at n=2, usually at the visible region, have wavelength from 656nm-410 nm.
Hope this helps!

[Ginny Ghang 1B]

Lyman series go to n=1. You know it is Lyman if the wavelength is less than 400nm or it is UV.
Balmer series go to n=2. You know it is Balmer if the wavelength is between 400 and 700nm or it is visible light.

[Mark_Botros_1D]

Furthermore, the Paschen series corresponds to n=3 and infrared wavelengths.

[Evan L 2B]

The Lyman series typically has a smaller wavelength and corresponds to the UV region. Also, the initial/final electron state is n=1. For the Balmer series, the initial/final electron state is n=2. The Balmer series has a much bigger wavelength and is in the visible region

[emily3L]

BALMER SERIES
visible region
e- falls to n=1 energy level
λ<400 nm

LYMAN SERIES
ultraviolet region
e- falls to n=2 energy level
400<λ<700 nm
Emits higher amounts of energy