Question

In the Balmer series of the hydrogen atom, as the wavelength of spectral lines decreases, they appear:

• A. Equally spaced and equally intense.
• B. Further apart and stronger in intensity.
• C. Closer together and stronger in intensity.
• D. Closer together and weaker in intensity.

Hint:

In spectral series, the spacing between successive lines decreases as they approach the series limit.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Hydrogen Spectrum and Balmer Series:
- The spectral lines within the Balmer series result from electronic transitions terminating at the \( n = 2 \) energy level.
- A reduction in wavelength, indicating a shift towards the ultraviolet spectrum, leads to increased line proximity, attributed to diminishing energy level separations.
- Line intensity concurrently declines, a consequence of reduced transition probabilities.
Therefore, the accurate characterization is Closer together and weaker in intensity.