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Question

Calculate the wave number for the longest wavelength transition in the Balmer series of atomic hydrogen.

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Solution

For the Balmer series, ni = 2. Thus, the expression of wavenumber ¯v is given by,
¯v=[1(2)21n2f](1.097×107m1)
Wave number ¯v is inversely proportional to wavelength of transition. Hence, for the longest wavelength transition, ¯v as to be the smallest. For ¯v to be minimum, nf should be minimum.
For the Balmer series, a transition from ni = 2 to nf = 3 is allowed. Hence, taking nf = 3, we get:
¯v=(1.097×107)[122132]¯v=(1.097×107)[1419] =(1.097×107)(9436) =(1.097×107)(536)¯v=1.5236×106m1


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