Question

What is the ratio of minimum to maximum wavelength in the Balmer series?

(a) 5:9

(b) 5:36

(c) 1:4

(d) 3:4

I had been asked this question in an interview.

I need to ask this question from Atomic Spectra topic in chapter Atoms of Physics – Class 12

Answer 1

Right option is (a) 5:9

To explain I would say: For a wavelength of Balmer series,

\(\frac {1}{\lambda }\) = R\( [ \frac {1}{4} – \frac {1}{9} ] \)

\(\frac {1}{\lambda } = \frac {5R}{30}\).

\(\frac {\lambda_{min}}{\lambda_{max}} = \frac {5R}{36} \times \frac {4}{R} \)

\(\frac {\lambda_{min}}{\lambda_{max}} = \frac {5}{9}\)