Balmer Lines - Definition

Balmer Lines

The Balmer series or Balmer lines in atomic physics, is the designation of one of a set of six different named series describing the spectral lineemissions of the hydrogen atom. The Balmer series is calculated using the Balmer formula, an empirical equation discovered by Johann Balmer in 1885.

The visible spectrum of light from hydrogen displays four wavelengths, 410 nm, 434 nm, 486 nm, and 656 nm, that correspond to emissions of photons by electrons in excited states transitioning to the quantum level described by the principal quantum number nequals 2.There are also a number of ultraviolet Balmer lines with wavelengths shorter than 400 nm.

                       

The visible hydrogen emission spectrum lines in the Balmer series. H-alpha is the red line at the right. The two leftmost lines are considered to be ultraviolet as they have wavelengths less than 400 nm.

Source: wikipedia, NASA