Spectral series of hydrogen atom

Since ni & nf are integers,on transition

between different atomic levels, energy is
radiated in discrete frequencies. This
results in different series in hydrogen
spectrum. They are
1. Lyman series
nf = 1 ; ni = 2,3,….
2. Balmer series
nf = 2 ; ni = 3,4,….
3. Paschen series
nf = 3 ; ni = 4,5,….
4. Brackett series
nf = 4 ; ni = 5,6,….
5. Pfund Series
nf = 5 ; ni = 6,7,….
 According to Bohr’s third postulate, when an atom makes
transition from higher energy quantum number ni to lower
energy quantum nf, the difference in energy is emitted as a
photon.

 The energy of the emitted photon is

(1)

 Substituting for energy Eni & Enf

We get,
 me  1 1 
4
(2)
 if
 2 3  2  2
8 0 h  n f ni 
 

 Eq,(2) is called Rydberg formula for hydrogen spectrum.

 It is similar to the equation for Balmer series
(3)

 Comparing eqns (2) & (3) we get

Substituting values of the constants,

R = 1.03 x 107 m-1.

 This is very close to the value of R , 1.097 x 107 m-1

obtained from Balmer formula.
 Thus,it gives a striking confirmation for Bohr model of atom.
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