Lyman, Ballmer, Paschen series?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the different series of emission spectra and how they are related to the energy levels of hydrogen. It is explained that hydrogen has only one ground state, but an infinite number of excited states, allowing for transitions between them. The Lyman, Balmer, and Paschen transitions are also described.
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krackers
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Hello there!

These series are the names given to the emission spectra when an electron gets excited and then falls from n=x to n=1 for Lyman, n=2 for Ballmer, and n=3 for Paschen series right? However, I though hydrogen only has 1 energy level, as the electronic configuration is 1s1. How can an electron fall from a higher energy level then? Please help!
 
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krackers said:
Hello there!

These series are the names given to the emission spectra when an electron gets excited and then falls from n=x to n=1 for Lyman, n=2 for Ballmer, and n=3 for Paschen series right? However, I though hydrogen only has 1 energy level, as the electronic configuration is 1s1. How can an electron fall from a higher energy level then? Please help!

You are confused. The 1s1 configuration refers to the ground state. All atoms have only one ground state. Hydrogen(as well as other atoms) has an infinite number of excited states, and there can transitions between the different states. You have described the Lyman, Balmer, and Paschen transitions correctly.
 

1. What are the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series?

The Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series are three series of spectral lines that correspond to different energy levels in the hydrogen atom. These series were first observed by Theodore Lyman, Johannes Ballmer, and Friedrich Paschen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. What is the difference between the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series?

The main difference between these series is the energy level that they correspond to. The Lyman series corresponds to transitions to the ground state, the Ballmer series corresponds to transitions to the first excited state, and the Paschen series corresponds to transitions to the second excited state.

3. What is the significance of the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series?

The Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series are significant because they provide evidence for the quantization of energy in atoms, which is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics. These series also allow scientists to study the energy levels and transitions of hydrogen atoms in the laboratory, providing valuable information about the structure of atoms and the behavior of light.

4. How are the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series used in astronomy?

Astronomers use the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series to study the spectra of stars and other celestial bodies. By analyzing the specific wavelengths of light emitted by these series, scientists can determine the temperature and composition of these objects. This information can then be used to gain a better understanding of the universe.

5. Are the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series unique to hydrogen?

No, these series are not unique to hydrogen. Similar series of spectral lines can be observed in other elements, such as helium and lithium. However, the Lyman, Ballmer, and Paschen series are most commonly associated with hydrogen due to the simplicity of its atomic structure and the prevalence of hydrogen in the universe.

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