Question

How many spectral lines are there in the hydrogen spectrum?

(a) Infinity

(b) Zero

(c) Multiple

(d) One

I had been asked this question by my college professor while I was bunking the class.

I'm obligated to ask this question of The Line Spectra of the Hydrogen Atom topic in section Atoms of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct choice is (c) Multiple

For explanation I would say: Even though hydrogen has only one electron in its outermost shell, it has multiple spectral lines. This is because hydrogen has many energy levels. When the electron excites from a lower level of energy into a higher level, then it releases a photon, and this photon is the one that appears as spectral lines.