Question

A wavelength of 489.2 nm is observed in a hydrogen spectrum for a transition that ends in the nf level of the Balmer series. What was ni for the initial level of the electron

Answer 1

`n_1=4`

Step-by-step explanation:

From the question we are told that:

Wavelength
`\lambda=489.2 nm =>4.86*10^(-7)`

nf level= Balmer series

nf level= 2

Generally the equation for Wavelength is mathematically given by

`(1)/(\lambda)=R[(1)/(nf^2)-(1)/(n_1^2)]`

Where

`R=Rydberg Constant`

`R=1.097*10^7`

Therefore

`(1)/(4.86*10^(-7))=1.097*10^7[(1)/(2^2)-(1)/(n_1^2)]`

`n_1=4.0021`

`n_1=4`