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

R_H = Rydberg constant for hydrogen = 1.097x10⁷m^-1

c = velocity of light = 2.997924580x10⁸ ms^-1

n = 3, 4, 5

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

See also: Brackett Series, Lyman Series, Paschen Series, Pfund Series.