Lyman, Balmer and Paschen Series

[Jessica Castellanos]

What are the differences between the Lyman, Balmer and Paschen series? What does the hydrogen atom have to do with these series? Thanks

[Juliet Stephenson 4E]

Hi Jessica,

The differences between these series are the energy level transitions they are referring to. The Lyman series comes from electrons which are moving from any energy level to the n=1 energy level. The Balmer series comes from electrons moving from any energy level to the n=2 energy level. The Paschen series comes from electrons moving to the n=3 energy level.

Each series is applying to the a different part of the emission spectrum of hydrogen, so you can consider them different "reactions" that the electron in a hydrogen atom might have to different frequencies of light.

Hope this helped!

[Sidharth D 1E]

Specifically, the ultraviolet region corresponds with the Lyman series, the visible region with the Balmer series, and the infrared region with the Paschen series.