Balmer Series
A series of lines in the emission spectrum of hydrogen that involve transitions to the n=2 state from states with n>2. Four of the lines are in the visible spectrum, and the remainder are in the ultraviolet. First discovered by Balmer in 1885.
- The frequency of the visible lines is given by:
- where
- RH = Rydberg constant for hydrogen = 1.097x107m-1
- c = velocity of light = 2.997924580x108 ms-1
- n = 3, 4, 5
- c = velocity of light = 2.997924580x108 ms-1
- Balmer also proposed more series for hydrogen with frequencies given by the general expression:
- Balmer also proposed more series for hydrogen with frequencies given by the general expression:
- where
- n1 > n2
- n2 = 1 = Lyman Series
- n2 = 2 = Balmer Series
- n2 = 3 = Paschen Series
- n2 = 4 = Bracket Series
- n2 = 5 = Pfund Series
- n2 = 1 = Lyman Series
See also: Brackett Series, Lyman Series, Paschen Series, Pfund Series.
