The shortest wavelength (series limit) of the Lyman series of hydrogen (1/R ≈ 91.2 nm) is:

The shortest wavelength (series limit)…

Answer: 91.2 nm.

A 91.2 nm
B 121.6 nm
C 365 nm
D 656 nm

Correct answer: A. 91.2 nm

Explanation: The Lyman series limit corresponds to n = ∞ to n = 1, giving λ_min = 1/R ≈ 91.2 nm.

Comparison of the Thomson model and the Rutherford model of the atom: in the Thomson plum pudding model alpha particles pass almost straight through a diffuse positive sphere, while in the Rutherford model a concentrated central nucleus deflects some alpha particles through large angles, with the lower panels showing the alpha particle source and gold foil and the observed result of wide-angle scattering

The Geiger–Marsden alpha-scattering result: a few alpha particles bounce back at large angles, which rules out Thomson’s diffuse model and demands a tiny, massive, positively charged nucleus. Image: Kurzon, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Concept context

Thomson's plum-pudding model, Rutherford's nuclear model from alpha-scattering, Bohr's postulates and hydrogen spectrum, spectral series (Lyman to Pfund), Rydberg formula, and limitations of each model.

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The shortest wavelength (series limit) of the Lyman series of hydrogen (1/R ≈ 91.2 nm) is:

Concept context

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