Balmer, Lyman, and Paschen series

[warfreak131]

Homework Statement

4. (a) Find the shortest wavelength photon emitted by a downward electron transition in the
Lyman, Balmer, and Paschen series of the hydrogen atom.

My only question is, what energy state is the electron starting from? is it n=infinity? or is there some part of this I am missing?

 

[ideasrule]

Electrons can start from any energy level and end up in any energy level. Which transition would give the greatest frequency?

 

[warfreak131]

well the higher the starting energy level, the shorter the wavelength, so i would assume n=infinity,

so what's n=infinity for hydrogen?

 

[ehild]

It means a free electron in rest, very far away from the nucleus, so no force acting on it.

ehild

 

[EJNorth]

I have the same problem, I need to find "E-max" for hydrogen. I know that I should take ((2.18*10^-18)/(6.63*10^-34)) * ((1/n)-(1/m)) (Where n>m)