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Grade 11Physical Chemistry

the wavelength of certain electron transition in the hydrogen spectrum is 4864 amstrong. identify the transition (A)Third line Balmer (B)First line Lyman (C)First line Paschen (D)Second line Balmer

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8 Years agoGrade 11
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer1 Year ago

To identify the electron transition corresponding to a wavelength of 4864 Å in the hydrogen spectrum, we need to understand the series of spectral lines produced by electron transitions in hydrogen. The Balmer series, Lyman series, and Paschen series are key to this understanding.

Understanding the Series

Hydrogen's spectral lines are categorized into different series based on the energy levels involved in the electron transitions:

  • Lyman Series: Transitions to the n=1 level (ultraviolet region).
  • Balmer Series: Transitions to the n=2 level (visible region).
  • Paschen Series: Transitions to the n=3 level (infrared region).

Wavelength and Energy Levels

The wavelength of 4864 Å falls within the visible spectrum, which suggests it is part of the Balmer series. To pinpoint the exact transition, we can use the Balmer formula:

1/λ = R_H (1/n1² - 1/n2²)

Where:

  • λ is the wavelength in meters.
  • R_H is the Rydberg constant (approximately 1.097 x 10^7 m^-1).
  • n1 is the lower energy level (for Balmer, n1 = 2).
  • n2 is the higher energy level (n2 = 3, 4, 5, ...).

Calculating the Transition

For the Balmer series, we can calculate the wavelength for different transitions:

  • Transition from n=3 to n=2:

    1/λ = R_H (1/2² - 1/3²) = R_H (1/4 - 1/9) = R_H (5/36)

    λ = 4861 Å (approximately)

  • Transition from n=4 to n=2:

    1/λ = R_H (1/2² - 1/4²) = R_H (1/4 - 1/16) = R_H (3/16)

    λ = 6563 Å (approximately)

  • Transition from n=5 to n=2:

    1/λ = R_H (1/2² - 1/5²) = R_H (1/4 - 1/25) = R_H (21/100)

    λ = 4340 Å (approximately)

Identifying the Correct Transition

Given that 4864 Å is very close to the calculated wavelength for the transition from n=3 to n=2, we can confidently identify this as the third line of the Balmer series. Therefore, the correct answer is:

(A) Third line Balmer

In summary, the wavelength of 4864 Å corresponds to the transition from the third energy level (n=3) to the second energy level (n=2) in the hydrogen atom, which is indeed the third line of the Balmer series.