Free interactive chemistry · SIM-SPEC-H-001
Hydrogen emission spectrum
An electron in a hydrogen atom drops between energy levels and gives out a photon of one exact colour.
Open the interactive simulation →How to use this simulation
- Set “From level n₂” and “To level n₁”.
- Watch the electron jump and the photon leave.
- Read the wavelength and the series name (Lyman, Balmer …).
- See the line appear on the spectrum strip.
What to notice
- Only certain energies are allowed, so only certain lines appear.
- Drops to n = 2 (Balmer) are visible; to n = 1 are ultraviolet.
Try this
Which transition gives the red line at 656 nm?
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