Chapter 5, Problem 55A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The part of the spectrum that is emitted light is to be explained and the name of the transition series is to be named.

Concept Introduction : The nature and behavior of matter and energy at the atomic level are essentially explained by quantum theory. In order to explain the hydrogen atomic emission spectrum, Bohr used quantum theory to consider the energy levels of electrons within atoms.

Answer to Problem 55A

The transition of electrons from higher energy levels to the n=2 energy level results in the emission of light from hydrogen atoms called as Balmer series. The part of the spectrum is the visible spectrum.

Explanation of Solution

The single electron in the hydrogen atom can only have a limited range of energies according to the Bohr model.

The atom is in its ground state when the electron has the lowest energy it can have.

The emission of a quantum of light occurs when an electron returns to a lower energy level. An electronic transition, that is how this emission happens, occurs in a single action.

The emission spectrum of hydrogen atoms has three groups of lines.

The Balmer series contains the lines that result from transfers from higher levels of energy to n=2.

The Balmer series is seen in the visible region.