The series limit of a spectral series corresponds to a transition from
Correct answer: B. n equals infinity, that is from a free electron
- A. the next level up
- B. n equals infinity, that is from a free electron
- C. the ground state
- D. a level below the final one
Explanation
As the starting level rises the lines crowd together and converge on a shortest wavelength, which corresponds to an electron falling from infinity, that is from the point of ionisation. Measuring the Lyman series limit therefore gives the ionisation energy of hydrogen directly. Beyond the limit the spectrum becomes continuous.
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About Atomic Spectra
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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