Photon emitted by a hydrogen atom in Lyman series and Balmer series at once ?

In summary, when a photon is emitted by a hydrogen atom in the Balmer series, it is followed by a photon in the Lyman series with a wavelength of 122nm, corresponding to the transition from n=2 to n=1. Both series have their own unique equations and correspond to different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum (visible and ultraviolet).
  • #1
nishantve1
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1

Homework Statement


Whenever a photon is emitted by hydrogen atom in the Balmer series, it is followed by a photon in Lyman series . What wavelength does this latter photon correspond to ?

Homework Equations



Balmer series corresponds to the wavelengths in the visible spectrum and Lyman corresponds to ones in the Ultraviolet.
the equations for each are
Lyman series : 1/λ = R(1 - 1/n2) n = 2,3,4...
Balmer series : 1/λ = R(1/4 - 1/n2) n = 3,4,5...

The Attempt at a Solution



Alright I know that an atom will emit light when it transcends from one state to the other and the energy of the photon is equal to the energy difference between the two states, so if a hydrogen atom emits photon it will emit one which is equal to the energy difference between two state since the energy of that photon is unique so it will correspond to a single wavelength , how can there be another ? This is how it attempted the solution and got stuck at this question .

The answer to this question is : 122nm
 
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  • #2
When the H atom has a Balmer transition, the electron ends up at the n=2 energy level.
It then makes an additional transition to n=1.
Applying the Lyman equation to the transition from n=2 to n=1 gives 122nm
 

FAQ: Photon emitted by a hydrogen atom in Lyman series and Balmer series at once ?

1. What is a photon emitted by a hydrogen atom in Lyman series and Balmer series?

A photon is a fundamental particle that carries electromagnetic energy. When a hydrogen atom undergoes a transition from a higher energy state to a lower one, it emits a photon with a specific wavelength. In the Lyman series, the photon is emitted in the ultraviolet region, while in the Balmer series, it is emitted in the visible region.

2. How are the wavelengths of photons in the Lyman and Balmer series related?

The wavelengths of the photons in the Lyman and Balmer series are related by the Rydberg formula, which states that the reciprocal of the wavelength is equal to the Rydberg constant times the difference in the inverse squares of the energy levels.

3. Why are the Lyman and Balmer series important in atomic physics?

The Lyman and Balmer series are important because they provide evidence for the quantization of energy levels in atoms. They also allow for the determination of the energy levels and the Rydberg constant, which is a fundamental constant in atomic physics.

4. Can a hydrogen atom emit a photon in both the Lyman and Balmer series at the same time?

No, a hydrogen atom can only emit one photon at a time. The energy difference between the two states must be specific for a photon to be emitted, so only one series can be observed at a time.

5. How is the energy of a photon in the Lyman and Balmer series related to its wavelength?

The energy of a photon is inversely proportional to its wavelength. This means that the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy. Therefore, the photons in the Lyman series, which have shorter wavelengths, have higher energies than those in the Balmer series.

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