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Topic: The Longest Wavelength of the Balmer series corresponds to n=3 to n=2  (Read 31553 times)

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Offline tophernus

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Hello everyone this is my first post on your forums.

I just want to verify that my answer is correct.

The question is; The longest wavelength of Balmer series of the spectral lines for hydrogen (transitions to n=2) corresponds to the transition the n=3 to n=2 levels. Explain in words why this might be expected.

I was thinking that because the drop from the n=3 to the n=2 levels is the smallest of drops, the smallest amount of energy would be released in the photon that is emitted, and therefore that would create the longest wavelength of the Balmer series.

And would this be the same for the opposite? That the highest energy photon would be emitted from the transition from n=infinity to n=2 levels and that would result in the shortest wavelength?


Thank you all so much.

Offline opti384

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Re: The Longest Wavelength of the Balmer series corresponds to n=3 to n=2
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2010, 03:21:55 AM »
I think you are on the right track.

Offline tophernus

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Re: The Longest Wavelength of the Balmer series corresponds to n=3 to n=2
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2010, 12:53:45 PM »
Thank you, I just wanted to make sure I was

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