Why Distance Between Lines of Hydrogen Spectrum Decreases

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the apparent contradiction between the increasing distance between hydrogen atom shells, as described by the formula r=Ɛn²h²/πme, and the decreasing distances between lines in the hydrogen spectrum. As the principal quantum number (n) increases, the radius of the hydrogen atom increases, yet the spectral lines become closer together. This phenomenon is attributed to the energy levels becoming more densely packed at higher quantum states, leading to a reduction in the wavelength differences between emitted photons.

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Why distances between lines of hydrogen spectrum decreases even though the distance between the shells of Hydrogen increases as we go to higher shells?

r=Ɛn2h2/πme

where
m=mass of electron,
e=charge on electron
h=planck's constant
n=principle quantum number
r=radius of hydrogen atom

This formula shows that the distance between the shells increases with the increase in Principle Quantum number.
Then why the distances between lines of hydrogen spectrum decreases?
 
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Ali Asadullah said:
Why distances between lines of hydrogen spectrum decreases even though the distance between the shells of Hydrogen increases as we go to higher shells?
Here's a picture showing the hydrogen spectrum:

http://web.stteresa.edu.hk/~kfyuen/s6spectrum2.jpg

Can you carefully explain the trend again using the picture as reference?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Gokul43201 said:
Here's a picture showing the hydrogen spectrum:

http://web.stteresa.edu.hk/~kfyuen/s6spectrum2.jpg

Can you carefully explain the trend again using the picture as reference?

Whoops .. I think those labels are wrong! The H-atom spectra is the line spectrum on the bottom.

:wink:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes, there's definitely something wrong with that figure!

Back to the OP - please post a link to the figure you are using and rewrite your question specifically in the context of the figure.
 

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