Re: Energy level diagrams

[Pete Lohstreter <plohstreter@MAIL.HOCKADAY.ORG>]

Forum for Physics Educators <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu> writes:
> We still don't know why spdf * -- do these describe the appearance of
> the lines?
>
> Just a guess: D lines have a higher multiplicity than P.   S are single
> (unless the spin is resolved?)

This was answered in one of the first responses to the original question.
They refer to the spectra associated with that orbital....
s - sharp
p - principle (primary)
d - diffused
f - fundamental
g-h-i...  is just the next alphabetical sequence and has no other
significance.

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