The ratio of wavelength of spectral lines $\mathrm{H}_{\alpha}$ and $\mathrm{H}_{\beta}$ in the Balmer series is $\frac{x}{20}$. The value of $x$ is _________.
Answer (integer)
27
Solution
<p>The Balmer series corresponds to electronic transitions in a hydrogen atom that terminate in the second (n=2) energy level. The spectral lines in the Balmer series are often labeled according to a Greek letter scheme, with H$_\alpha$ corresponding to the n=3 to n=2 transition, H$_\beta$ corresponding to the n=4 to n=2 transition, and so on.</p>
<p>The wavelength of a spectral line in the Balmer series can be calculated using the Rydberg formula:</p>
<p>$
\frac{1}{\lambda} = R_H \left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{n^2} \right)
$</p>
<p>where $R_H$ is the Rydberg constant for hydrogen, $n$ is the principal quantum number corresponding to the initial energy level, and $\lambda$ is the wavelength of the spectral line.</p>
<p>Using this formula, the wavelength of the H$_\alpha$ line is:</p>
<p>$
\frac{1}{\lambda_{\alpha}} = R_H \left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{3^2} \right)
$</p>
<p>And the wavelength of the H$_\beta$ line is:</p>
<p>$
\frac{1}{\lambda_{\beta}} = R_H \left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{4^2} \right)
$</p>
<p>Therefore, the ratio of the wavelengths of the H$_\alpha$ and H$_\beta$ lines is:</p>
<p>$
\frac{\lambda_{\alpha}}{\lambda_{\beta}} = \frac{\left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{4^2} \right)}{\left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{3^2} \right)} = \frac{\frac{3}{16}}{\frac{5}{36}} = \frac{27}{20}
$</p>
<p>So, comparing with the given ratio $\frac{x}{20}$, we find that $x = 27$.</p>
About this question
Subject: Physics · Chapter: Atoms and Nuclei · Topic: Bohr's Model of Hydrogen Atom
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