CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

this question states: "use the Rydberg formula for atomic hydrogen to calculate the wavelength of radiation generated by the transition from n=4 to n=2."

I am not sure why the answer I am getting is a number to the power of negative 19 when the answer in the book is 486 nm.
thanks

It sounds like what you've calculated is the energy of the radiation emitted, while what the question asked for was the wavelength. You could use or to find the correct answer.

Also, you might have left your answer in meters which is why you have the negative exponent. Multiply your answer by 1.0x10^9, and that should get your answer to nanometers.