[big]

Which electronic transition in a hydrogen atom occurs with an energy that corresponds to visible light?
A)   n=2 n=1
B)   n=5 n=1
C)   n=4: rarrow: n=2
D)   n=6 : rarrow: n=3

The answer says that it is C, but why isn’t B the right answer if it gives off the more energy?

[Borek]

Too low energy and you are emitting IR, too much and you are in the UV range.

[big]

How do you know then which electronic transitions will give off which forms of radiation if you were just given something like, say, n=3  n=1?

[opti384]

You should know about the Lyman Series, Balmer Series, Paschen Series. When the excited electron transits to n=1, UV is emitted and the series of light are called the Lyman Series. Balmer Series are visible light emitted when the electron transits to n=2, the Paschen Series are IR from electron transited to n=3.