Question

The wave length of second line in the Balmer series of hydrogen spectrum is equal to: (R=Rydberg constant)

• A. $36/5R$
• B. $5R/36$
• C. $3R/16$
• D. $16/3R$

Answer 1

The correct option is A $36/5R$

From Rydberg's equation,

$v=\frac{1}{\lambda }=R_H[\frac{1}{n_1^2}-\frac{1}{n_2^2}]$

For the second line of Balmer series of hydrogen spectrum, $n_1$=2 and $n_2$=3.

$v=R_H[\frac{1}{2^2}-\frac{1}{3^2}]$

$\frac{1}{\lambda }=R_H\left[\frac{5}{36}\right]\therefore \lambda =\frac{36}{5R}$