Spectral Lines

[Isabelle Huerta 2I]

Can someone walk me through how to find the spectral lines when given a shell number?

I was looking through the past homework assignments and got stuck figuring this out, thanks.

[Ayush Patel 3G]

The Rydberg equation relates the wavelength of a spectral line to the initial and final shells in which an electron exists. The equation is 1/λ = R(1/n^2 - 1/m^2) where λ is wavelength, R is the Rydberg constant, n is the final shell, and m is the initial shell.

[Levy Shaked]

Agreed. Moreover, generally, the question will tell you that the atomic spectrum that results is either in the UV or visible range; UV spectral lines have a final energy level of n=1 and are part of the Lyman series, whereas visible spectral lines have a final energy level of n=2 and are part of the Balmer series.