One of the lines in the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom has a wavelength of λ = 121.6 nm. Identify the value of ninitial.

Modern Physics
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ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Chapter4: The Particle Nature Of Matter
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When an electron of an excited hydrogen atom descends, from an initial energy level (ni) to a lower (nf), characteristic electromagnetic radiation is emitted. The Bohr model of the H-atom allows the calculation of ΔE for any pair of energy levels. ΔE is related to the wavelength (λ) of the radiation according to Einstein's equation ( ΔE = [(hc)/λ]). Distinct series of spectral lines have been classified according to nf:

Lyman series:nf=1  (91<λ<123 nm; near-UV).
Balmer series:nf=2  (365<λ<658 nm; visible).
Paschen series:nf=3  (819<λ<1877 nm; near-IR).
Brackett series:nf=4  (1.456<λ<4.054 μm; short-to-mid-λ-IR)


One of the lines in the emission spectrum of the hydrogen atom has a wavelength of λ = 121.6 nm.

Identify the value of ninitial.

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