Question

Which one of the following transitions is accompanied by emission of radiation with the longest wavelength?

a) n=4 to n=2
b) n=5 to n=2
c) n=1 to n=4
d) n=3 to n=5

Answer 1

The transition from n=4 to n=2 has the longest wavelength and corresponds to the Balmer series in the visible light spectrum.

Step-by-step explanation:

The transition accompanied by the emission of radiation with the longest wavelength is from n=4 to n=2 (option a). This is known as the Balmer series transition.

In the Balmer series, transitions occur from higher-energy orbits (n > 2) to the second orbit (n = 2) in a hydrogen atom. The wavelengths of the emitted photons for these transitions correspond to visible light in the electromagnetic spectrum.

For example, the transition from n = 4 to n = 2 results in the emission of a photon with a wavelength of 486 nm (green light).