To explain the line emission spectra of hydrogen in the visible region, Balmer proposed the following formula $ \frac{1}{\lambda}=\mathrm{R}\left(\frac{1}{2^{2}}-\frac{1}{n^{2}}\right) $ . According to this formula, which of the following is the possible value for n?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) -1
E) -3

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The formula given by Balmer is applicable to the visible region of the hydrogen spectrum, and it relates the wavelength of the emitted photon to the energy difference between the initial and the final states of the electron in the hydrogen atom. The variable n in the formula represents the principal quantum number of the final state of the electron, which must be greater than the initial principal quantum number of 2. Thus, n can only take the values of 3, 4, 5, ... and so on. Therefore, the possible value for n is 3, which is option C. Options A, B, D, and E are not possible values for n according to the Balmer formula.

To Explain the Line Emission Spectra of Hydrogen in the Visible