If the wavelength of the first member of the Lyman series of hydrogen is , the wavelength of the second member will be:
- A
- B
- C
- D
If the wavelength of the first member of the Lyman series of hydrogen is , the wavelength of the second member will be:
Correct answer:A
Standard Method
Given: The wavelength of the first member of the Lyman series is .
Find: The wavelength of the second member of the Lyman series.
For the Lyman series, the electron falls to from higher energy levels. Use the Rydberg formula:
For the first member of the Lyman series, the transition is to :
For the second member, the transition is to . Let its wavelength be :
Now compare the two expressions:
So,
Hence,
Therefore, the wavelength of the second member is . The correct option is A.
Ratio Method
Given: First-member wavelength is .
Find: Second-member wavelength in terms of .
For the Lyman series, because the lower level is fixed at .
So for the first and second members:
Hence,
Therefore,
Thus, the correct option is A.
Using the second member as transition is incorrect. That is the first member of the Lyman series. The second member is .
Reversing the wavelength ratio is a common error. Since is proportional to the transition factor, the wavelength itself varies inversely with that factor.
Confusing the Lyman series with Balmer series is incorrect. In the Lyman series, the final level is always , not .
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