Question

The series of spectral absorption lines in the infrared part of the spectrum that result from atomic transitions in hydrogen atoms in which electrons are lifted from the n = 3 level to all other atomic energy levels is known as ________.

Answer 1

The Paschen series is named for the series of infrared spectral lines which result from transitions of electrons in hydrogen atoms from the n=3 level to higher levels. This series contrasts with the Lyman series for transitions to n=1 and the Balmer series for transitions to n=2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The series of spectral absorption lines in the infrared part of the spectrum that result from atomic transitions in hydrogen atoms in which electrons are lifted from the n = 3 level to all other atomic energy levels is known as the Paschen series.

When the atom absorbs one or more quanta of energy, the electron moves from an excited state orbit to another with more energy. Given the n=3 initial state, transitions could involve moving to orbits with n>3. Notably, the series corresponding to transitions down to the n=1 level are known as the Lyman series, and those which result in transitions down to the second energy level (n=2) are known as the Balmer series. However, for the Paschen series, the transitions that result in spectral lines in the infrared region occur because the differences in energy involved are smaller than those in the Lyman or Balmer series.