Question:easy

In which region of the electromagnetic spectrum does the Lyman series of hydrogen lie?

Show Hint

Lyman lines end on the ground state \( n=1 \) and are the highest-energy hydrogen transitions, so they lie in the ultraviolet.
Updated On: Jul 10, 2026
  • Infrared
  • Visible
  • X-rays
  • Ultraviolet
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall the series-to-region map.
For hydrogen: Lyman (to \(n=1\)) is ultraviolet, Balmer (to \(n=2\)) is visible, and Paschen, Brackett, Pfund (to \(n=3,4,5\)) are infrared. This memory rule alone settles the answer.

Step 2: Justify with energy.
Transitions ending on the ground state \(n=1\) release the most energy of any hydrogen series because the ground level is the deepest. Higher photon energy means shorter wavelength.

Step 3: Connect energy to region.
These high-energy photons (about 10 eV upward) have wavelengths shorter than violet visible light, placing them in the ultraviolet band.

Step 4: Final choice.
Therefore the Lyman series is found in the ultraviolet part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
\[\boxed{\text{Ultraviolet}}\]
Was this answer helpful?
0