alleryStart learning →In 1885 Johann Balmer derived an empirical equation relating hydrogen's four visible wavelengths to:
AIrrational constants
BRandom decimal values
CThe mass of the atom
DWhole integers
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. Whole integers
1. Hydrogen's visible emission spectrum shows four sharp lines.
2. In 1885, Johann Balmer was able to derive an empirical equation.
3. It related the four visible wavelengths of light emitted by hydrogen atoms to whole integers.
4. That an atomic spectrum should obey a whole-number rule was deeply puzzling at the time.
5. The relationship later fell out naturally from quantised energy levels.
_Source: OpenStax Chemistry 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 6 'Electronic Structure and Periodic Properties of Elements', sections 6.1-6.5_
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