A hydrogen atom emits radiation when an electron makes a transition between two…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
A hydrogen atom emits radiation when an electron makes a transition between two stationary orbits.
Answer the following questions related to the spectral series so produced:
(i) Define the term “spectral series” for the hydrogen atom.
(ii) For any member of a spectral series, the two principal quantum numbers involved are n1 and n2. State the condition that must be satisfied by these two numbers and explain its physical meaning.
(iii) Give reasons why all lines of the Lyman series are found in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum, whereas the Balmer series lies in the visible region.
(iv) Describe qualitatively how the spacing between successive wavelengths in a given spectral series changes as the upper quantum number n2 increases, and justify your answer on the basis of energy‐level considerations.