Comparing Balmer & He+ Series: L-alpha/L-beta vs. nu=6/8

  • Thread starter Shackleford
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Series
In summary, the Balmer series of hydrogen and the series where nl = 4 for the ionized helium atom He+ have a difference in the wavelengths of their respective L-alpha and L-beta lines by approximately 0.2 nm. There is no wavelength of the Balmer series that is very similar to any wavelength values where nl = 4 in He+. The closest wavelength of the Balmer series to any wavelength value where nl = 4 in He+ is the L-gamma line of hydrogen, which is still 0.7 nm away from the wavelength of the nu = 10 line of He+.
  • #1
Shackleford
1,656
2
Compare the Balmer series of hydrogen with the series where nl = 4 for the ionized helium atom He+. What is the difference between the wavelengths of the L-alpha and L-beta line of hydrogen and the nu= 6 and 8 of He+? Is there a wavelength of the Balmer series very similar to any wavelength values where nl = 4 in He+?

I'm not sure if the ionization energy I'm using for He+ is correct, and I'm assuming the atomic mass is roughly 4u.

ps4.jpg
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The difference between the wavelengths of the L-alpha and L-beta lines of hydrogen and the nu= 6 and 8 of He+ is approximately 0.2 nm. The wavelength of the L-alpha line of hydrogen is 656.3 nm, while the wavelength of the nu = 6 line of He+ is 656.1 nm. Likewise, the wavelength of the L-beta line of hydrogen is 486.1 nm, while the wavelength of the nu = 8 line of He+ is 485.9 nm.No, there is no wavelength of the Balmer series that is very similar to any wavelength values where nl = 4 in He+. The closest wavelength of the Balmer series to any wavelength value where nl = 4 in He+ would be the wavelength of the L-gamma line of hydrogen (434.1 nm), which is still 0.7 nm away from the wavelength of the nu = 10 line of He+ (433.4 nm).
 

1. What is the Balmer series and the He+ series?

The Balmer series and the He+ series are two spectral series in the atomic emission spectrum. The Balmer series is specific to hydrogen atoms, while the He+ series is specific to singly ionized helium atoms.

2. How do the L-alpha/L-beta lines of the Balmer series compare to the nu=6/8 lines of the He+ series?

The L-alpha/L-beta lines of the Balmer series and the nu=6/8 lines of the He+ series have different wavelengths, with the Balmer series having longer wavelengths. This is because the Balmer series is specific to hydrogen, which has a smaller atomic nucleus compared to helium in the He+ series. This leads to a higher energy level for the electron in the Balmer series, resulting in longer wavelength lines.

3. What is the significance of the nu=6/8 lines in the He+ series?

The nu=6/8 lines in the He+ series are known as the "principal series" and represent the transitions from the n=6 and n=8 energy levels to the n=2 energy level. These transitions result in the emission of photons with specific wavelengths, which can be used in spectroscopy to identify helium atoms.

4. How does the energy difference between the Balmer series and the He+ series affect their spectral lines?

The energy difference between the Balmer series and the He+ series affects the wavelengths of their spectral lines. The Balmer series has a lower energy difference, resulting in longer wavelength lines compared to the He+ series. This is due to the smaller size of the hydrogen atom's nucleus compared to helium, which leads to a lower energy level for its electrons.

5. Can the Balmer series and the He+ series be used to study other elements?

Yes, the Balmer series and the He+ series can be used to study other elements. The Balmer series can be used to study hydrogen-like ions, while the He+ series can be used to study helium-like ions. This is because these series are based on the same principles of energy level transitions in atoms, regardless of the element.

Similar threads

  • Atomic and Condensed Matter
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Advanced Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Math Proof Training and Practice
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Math Proof Training and Practice
2
Replies
48
Views
8K
  • Quantum Physics
Replies
11
Views
4K
Back
Top