The Student Room Group

Chemistry AS - Hydrogen Spectral Emissions?

The Lyman series, as we know shows a jump back to the first energy level. The Balmer series shows a jump back to the second energy level, which would be followed by a jump back to the first energy level (ground state), yet this time it goes in two stages.

So why in a hydrogen atom would the excited electron choose to 'stop off' at the second energy level, and post frequencies within the Balmer Series, as opposed to just going straight down to the first energy level through the Lyman series?

Quick Reply

Latest