Related Formula
Δ E = 13.6 × Z² ( (1)/(n₁²) - (1)/(n₂²) )$$\Delta E = 13.6 \times Z^2 \left( \frac{1}{n_1^2} - \frac{1}{n_2^2} \right)$$
Core Logic
Lowest energy line in Lyman series (L₁$L_1$) corresponds to transition from n₂ = 2$n_2 = 2$ to n₁ = 1$n_1 = 1$.
Δ E(L₁) = 13.6 × Z² ( (1)/(1²) - (1)/(2²) ) = 13.6 × Z² × (3)/(4)$\Delta E(L_1) = 13.6 \times Z^2 \left( \frac{1}{1^2} - \frac{1}{2^2} \right) = 13.6 \times Z^2 \times \frac{3}{4}$
Lowest energy line in Balmer series (B₁$B_1$) corresponds to transition from n₂ = 3$n_2 = 3$ to n₁ = 2$n_1 = 2$.
Δ E(B₁) = 13.6 × Z² ( (1)/(2²) - (1)/(3²) ) = 13.6 × Z² × ( (1)/(4) - (1)/(9) ) = 13.6 × Z² × (5)/(36)$\Delta E(B_1) = 13.6 \times Z^2 \left( \frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{3^2} \right) = 13.6 \times Z^2 \times \left( \frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{9} \right) = 13.6 \times Z^2 \times \frac{5}{36}$
Step 1: Find Ratio x
(Δ E(L₁))/(Δ E(B₁)) = (13.6 Z² × 3/4)/(13.6 Z² × 5/36)$$\frac{\Delta E(L_1)}{\Delta E(B_1)} = \frac{13.6 Z^2 \times 3/4}{13.6 Z^2 \times 5/36}$$
x = (3/4)/(5/36) = (3)/(4) × (36)/(5) = (3 × 9)/(5) = (27)/(5) = 5.4$$x = \frac{3/4}{5/36} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{36}{5} = \frac{3 \times 9}{5} = \frac{27}{5} = 5.4$$
We need to express x$x$ as ____ × 10⁻¹$____ \times 10^{-1}$.
5.4 = 54 × 10⁻¹$5.4 = 54 \times 10^{-1}$
Thus, the integer value is 54$54$.
Pattern Recognition
Lowest energy always means the transition from the immediately adjacent higher level (n+1 arrow n$n+1 \rightarrow n$). Set up the ratio to immediately cancel out the Rydberg constant/13.6 term.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Chemistry: Structure of Atom