Question

Emission transitions in the Paschen series end at orbit n = 3 and start from orbit n and can be represented as v = 3.29 × 10¹⁵ (Hz) [1/3² – 1/n²]

Calculate the value of n if the transition is observed at 1285 nm. Find the region of the spectrum.

Answer 1

Wavelength of transition = 1285 nm

= 1285 × 10^–9 m (Given)

`v = 3.29 xx 10^(15)(1/3^2 - 1/"n"^2)` (Given)

Since `"v" = "c"/lambda`

`= (3.0 xx 10^8)/(1285xx10^(-9) " m")`

ν = 2.33 × 10¹⁴ s^–1

Substituting the value of ν in the given expression,

`3.29 xx 10^(15)(1/9 - 1/"n"^2) = 2.33 xx 10^14`

`1/9 - 1/"n"^2 = (2.33xx10^14)/(3.29xx10^15)`

`1/9 - 0.7082 xx 10^(-1) = 1/"n"^2 `

`=> 1/"n"^2 = 1.1 xx 10^(-1) - 0.7082 xx 10^(-1)`

`1/"n"^2 = 4.029 xx 10^(-2)`

n = `sqrt(1/(4.029 xx 10^(-2)))`

n = 4.98

n ≈ 5

Hence, for the transition to be observed at 1285 nm, n = 5.

The spectrum lies in the infra-red region.

Answer 2

ν = c/λ = 3.0×10⁸ ms^-1/1285×10^-9 m = 3.29×10¹⁵ (1/3² - 1/n²)

⇒ 1/n² = 1/9 - (3.0×10⁸ ms^-1/1285×10^-9 m)×(1/3.29×10¹⁵) = 0.111-0.071 = 0.04 = 1/25

⇒ n² = 25

⇒ n = 5

The radiation corresponding to 1285 nm lies in the infrared region.