Balmer series of hydrogen spectral lines The Balmer series of atomic hydrogen. These spectral lines are emitted when the electron in the hydrogen atom transitions from the n = 3 or greater orbital down to the n = 2 orbital. The wavelengths of these lines are given by 1/λ = RH (1/4 − 1/n2), where λ is the wavelength, RH is the Rydberg constant, and n is the level of the original orbital. (more) spectral line physics Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/spectral-line Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 1, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Key People: Joseph von Fraunhofer (Show more) { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What causes spectral lines? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Spectral lines are caused when a photon of a specific energy changes the state of an ion, atom, or molecule, either through emission or absorption." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the difference between emission and absorption spectral lines? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "In emission, an ion, atom, or molecule moves from a high-energy state to a low-energy state, emitting energy. In absorption, it absorbs a photon and moves from a low-energy state to a high-energy state." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " How are atomic energy levels measured? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Atomic energy levels are measured by observing transitions between two levels and determining the energy difference by measuring the absorbed radiation." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the Balmer series? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The Balmer series is a set of spectral lines for hydrogen in the visible region." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What happens during the Hu03B1 line transition in hydrogen? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "During the Hu03B1 line transition, an electron in hydrogen moves from the n = 3 state to the n = 2 state, emitting a photon." } } ] } Top Questions What causes spectral lines? Spectral lines are caused when a photon of a specific energy changes the state of an ion, atom, or molecule, either through emission or absorption.

　　What is the difference between emission and absorption spectral lines? In emission, an ion, atom, or molecule moves from a high-energy state to a low-energy state, emitting energy. In absorption, it absorbs a photon and moves from a low-energy state to a high-energy state.

　　How are atomic energy levels measured? Atomic energy levels are measured by observing transitions between two levels and determining the energy difference by measuring the absorbed radiation.

　　What is the Balmer series? The Balmer series is a set of spectral lines for hydrogen in the visible region.

　　What happens during the Hα line transition in hydrogen? During the Hα line transition, an electron in hydrogen moves from the n = 3 state to the n = 2 state, emitting a photon.

　　spectral line, a bright or dark feature in a spectrum caused when a photon of a specific energy changes the state of an ion, atom, or molecule. Spectral lines come in two types: emission and absorption. In emission, the ion, atom, or molecule moves from a high-energy state to a low-energy state and emits the energy difference as a photon. In absorption, it is the reverse, with the atom, ion, or molecule absorbing a photon and moving from a low-energy state to a high-energy state. An isolated atom can be described in terms of certain discrete states called quantum states. ...(100 of 646 words)

　　Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!