Related Formula
ν = RH Z² [(1)/(n₁²) - (1)/(n₂²)]$$\bar{\nu} = R_H Z^2 \left[\frac{1}{n_1^2} - \frac{1}{n_2^2}\right]$$
Core Logic
For the Balmer series in a Hydrogen atom (Z=1$Z=1$), the lower energy level is always n₁ = 2$n_1 = 2$. The higher energy levels are n₂ = 3, 4, 5,$n_2 = 3, 4, 5, \dots$
Step 1: Calculate First 3 Lines of Balmer Series
If n₂ = 3$n_2 = 3$ (First line):\nν = R(1)² [(1)/(2²) - (1)/(3²)] = R [(1)/(4) - (1)/(9)] = (5R)/(36)$$\bar{\nu} = R(1)^2 \left[\frac{1}{2^2} - \frac{1}{3^2}\right] = R \left[\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{9}\right] = \frac{5R}{36}$$\n\nIf n₂ = 4$n_2 = 4$ (Second line):\nν = R [(1)/(4) - (1)/(16)] = R [(3)/(16)] = (3R)/(16)$$\bar{\nu} = R \left[\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{16}\right] = R \left[\frac{3}{16}\right] = \frac{3R}{16}$$\n\nIf n₂ = 5$n_2 = 5$ (Third line):\nν = R [(1)/(4) - (1)/(25)] = R [(21)/(100)] = (21R)/(100)$$\bar{\nu} = R \left[\frac{1}{4} - \frac{1}{25}\right] = R \left[\frac{21}{100}\right] = \frac{21R}{100}$$
Final Conclusion
The set (5R)/(36), (3R)/(16), (21R)/(100)$\frac{5R}{36}, \frac{3R}{16}, \frac{21R}{100}$ correctly matches the first three spectral lines of the Balmer series.
Pattern Recognition
Rydberg fractions for Balmer start exclusively with denominators involving common multiples of 4 and squares: 4 × 9 = 36$4 \times 9 = 36$, 4 × 16 = 64 arrow 16$4 \times 16 = 64 \rightarrow 16$, 4 × 25 = 100$4 \times 25 = 100$.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Chemistry: Structure of Atom