How to calculate number of absorption lines from given number of emission lines in a hydrogen line spectrum?

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Answer

Calculating Number of Absorption Lines from Given Number of Emission Lines in a Hydrogen Line Spectrum

Hydrogen line spectrum is an important tool for understanding the behavior of atoms and molecules. It is a series of spectral lines produced by the emission or absorption of energy by hydrogen atoms. The spectrum consists of a series of lines that are produced when electrons in hydrogen atoms move between energy levels. These energy levels are quantized, meaning that they can only take on certain discrete values.

What are Emission and Absorption Lines?

Emission lines are the lines in the spectrum that are produced when an electron in an atom moves from a higher energy level to a lower energy level. This movement releases energy in the form of light, which is observed as a line in the spectrum. The wavelength of the line corresponds to the amount of energy released.

Absorption lines are the lines in the spectrum that are produced when an electron in an atom absorbs energy and moves from a lower energy level to a higher energy level. This movement requires a specific amount of energy, which is absorbed from the light passing through the atom. The wavelength of the line corresponds to the amount of energy required for the electron to move to the higher energy level.

Calculating Number of Absorption Lines

The number of absorption lines in a hydrogen line spectrum can be calculated from the number of emission lines using the following formula:

Number of Absorption Lines = Number of Emission Lines - 1

The reason for subtracting one from the number of emission lines is that the ground state of the hydrogen atom does not produce an absorption line. This is because there is no lower energy level for the electron to move to.

Example

If there are 5 emission lines in a hydrogen line spectrum, then the number of absorption lines can be calculated as follows:

Number of Absorption Lines = Number of Emission Lines - 1

Number of Absorption Lines = 5 - 1

Number of Absorption Lines = 4

Therefore, there are 4 absorption lines in the hydrogen line spectrum.

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