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Dart82
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Homework Statement
Is it possible to use electromagnetic radiation to ionize atoms. To do so, the atoms must absorb the radiation, the photons of which must have enough energy to remove an electron from an atom. What is the longest radiation wavelength (nm) that can be used to ionize the ground state hydrogen atom?
Homework Equations
Lyman Series:
1/lambda = R {(1/nf^2) - (1/ni^2)}
The Attempt at a Solution
According to my notes, the lyman series consists of transitions TO the ground state (n=1) starting with the first excited state (n=2). What i am having trouble with here is that when they say "What is the longest wavelength that can be used to ionize the ground state hydrogen?" Are they asking what wavelength of radiation will cause hydrogen to go from n=1 to n=0? Should i be using the Balmer or Paschen series instead of the Lyman? I know how to work the math part of the problem but i am confused as to what values i should be using for n.