The upward Lyman series transitions in hydrogen begin with electrons in the ground state (n = 1), which is the state of most hydrogen atoms. Yet the Balmer series was studied first and was the basis of the early attempts to explain the lines. This is because:
A)upward transitions never occur; only downward transitions occur.
B)the entire Balmer series is in the visible part of the spectrum.
C)the first few transitions (low n) in the Balmer series are in the visible.
D)the last few transitions (high n) in the Balmer series are in the visible.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first few transitions in the Balmer series (n = 2 to n = infinity) are in the visible part of the spectrum, making them easier to observe and study. The upward transitions in the Lyman series (n = 1 to n = infinity) start with the ground state, but the resulting photons are in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, making them more difficult to observe.

The Upward Lyman Series Transitions in Hydrogen Begin with Electrons