A line in the Balmer series of the emission spectrum of atomic hydrogen is observed at a wavelength of 486.3 nm. Deduce the upper state principal quantum number for this transition.
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Balmer series in the hydrogen spectrum corresponds to transitions from higher energy levels to the n=2 level. The wavelength of 486.3 nm is specifically associated with the transition from the n=4 level to the n=2 level.

A Line in the Balmer Series of the Emission Spectrum