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    Question

    The Lyman series in hydrogen atom spectrum lies in:

    A Ultraviolet region Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Visible region Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Infrared region Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Microwave region Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    The hydrogen atom emits radiation when an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one. These transitions form distinct spectral series , named based on which energy level the electron lands in. The Lyman series refers to all transitions in which the electron falls to the first (ground) energy level . Because the gap between the first level and higher levels is large, these transitions release high-energy photons .

    • The energy of photons in the Lyman series is greater than that in any other hydrogen spectral series.
    • High-energy photons correspond to short wavelengths , and such wavelengths fall in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the electromagnetic spectrum.
    • All lines in the Lyman series lie within the UV range and are not visible to the naked eye .
    • These are typically observed using instruments that can detect ultraviolet light.
    In contrast:
    • The Balmer series lies in the visible region .
    • The Paschen, Brackett, and Pfund series fall in the infrared region , where the photon energies are lower.
    Since the Lyman series involves high-energy transitions ending in the ground state, the emitted radiation lies entirely in the ultraviolet region .

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