The energy of an emitted photon is determined by the difference in energy between the initial and final orbits: ΔE=RH(nf21−ni21).
The energy separation between adjacent energy levels decreases as the value of n increases (i.e., energy levels get closer together at higher n).
Comparing the given transitions:
n=6→n=1: Ends in ground state (Lyman series), corresponds to the highest energy (UV region). n=5→n=3: Ends in n=3 (Paschen series).
n=5→n=4: Transition between adjacent higher levels. n=6→n=5: Transition between the highest adjacent levels given.
Calculating the factor (nf21−ni21) for the closest contenders:
- For 5→4: 161−251≈0.0625−0.04=0.0225
- For 6→5: 251−361≈0.04−0.0278=0.0122
The transition n=6→n=5 yields the smallest value, implying the emission of the least energetic photon (longest wavelength).