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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
If the wavelength of the first line in Balmer series is 656 nm, then the wavelength of its second line and limiting line respectively are
ChemistryStructure of AtomAP EAMCETAP EAMCET 2021 (25 Aug Shift 2)
Options:
  • A 485.9 nm and 434 nm
  • B 485.9 nm and 364.4 nm
  • C 715 nm and 434 nm
  • D 608 nm and 415.2 nm
Solution:
1761 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: 485.9 nm and 364.4 nm
According to H-spectrum;
Rydberg formula $\Rightarrow \frac{1}{\lambda}=R_{\mathrm{H}}\left(\frac{1}{n_1^2}-\frac{1}{n_2^2}\right)$
For first line, $n_1=2, n_2=3$ (Balmer series)
$\lambda=656 \mathrm{~nm}$
$\begin{aligned} \frac{1}{656} & =R_{\mathrm{H}}\left[\frac{1}{2^2}-\frac{1}{3^2}\right] \\ & =\frac{5}{36} R_{\mathrm{H}}...(i)\end{aligned}$
For second line, $n_1=2$ and $n_2=4$
$$
\begin{aligned}
\frac{1}{\lambda} & =R_{\mathrm{H}}\left[\frac{1}{2^2}-\frac{1}{4^2}\right] \\
& =\frac{3}{16} R_{\mathrm{H}}...(ii)
\end{aligned}
$$
Dividing Eqs. (i) and (ii) we get,
$$
\begin{aligned}
\frac{\lambda}{656} & =\frac{5}{36} \times \frac{16}{3} \\
\lambda & =485.9 \mathrm{~nm}
\end{aligned}
$$

Similarly, wavelength of limiting line i.e. $n_2=\infty$ and $n_1=2$
$$
\begin{aligned}
\frac{1}{\lambda} & =R_{\mathrm{H}}\left[\frac{1}{2^2}-\frac{1}{\infty^2}\right]=\frac{R_{\mathrm{H}}}{4}=\frac{109737}{4} \\
\therefore \quad \lambda & =364.4 \mathrm{~nm}
\end{aligned}
$$
Hence, wavelength of second line is 485.9 nm and limiting line is 364.4 nm.

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