Shortest wavelength photon in the Balmer series is:
Correct answer: A. 4/R
- A. 4/R
- B. R/4
- C. 1/4R
- D. 4
Explanation
In the Balmer series, the shortest wavelength photon is emitted when an electron transitions from the n=3 energy level to the n=2 energy level in a hydrogen atom. The wavelength of this photon is given by the Balmer formula: 1/λ = R x (1/22 - 1/32) where R is the Rydberg constant. Since 1/22- 1/32 = 4/36 = 1/9, the wavelength of the shortest photon is 9 times the Rydberg constant (R). Therefore, the correct option is 4/R.
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Atoms emit or absorb light at specific wavelengths because electrons occupy quantized energy levels and change levels by absorbing or releasing photons. The topic covers emission and absorption spectra, spectral series, hydrogen’s line spectrum, energy-level transitions, and the relation between wavelength, frequency and photon energy.
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