## Need help with 1A.13 homework problem?

$c=\lambda v$

EmilyJoo_1G
Posts: 50
Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2019 12:16 am

### Need help with 1A.13 homework problem?

Use the Rydberg formula for atomic hydrogen to calculate the wavelength of radiation generated by the transition from n=2 to n=1. (c) Use Table 1A.1 to determine the region of the spectrum in which the transition takes place.

I used the Rydberg formula and got 121.54 (nanometers?) for wavelength. I used 1.097 x 10^7 m^-1 for the Rydberg constant instead of 3.29 x 10^15 nanometers. The latter was giving me an answer that had no place in Table 1A.1. Any help on how to go about this problem would be appreciated.

Jack Riley 4f
Posts: 100
Joined: Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Need help with 1A.13 homework problem?

you use the Rydberg formula with the Constant as 3.29x10^15 because that gives you frequency. After finding the frequency, plug it into c=(lambda)v to find lambda=486 nm. From that, you can check in the table and see it is in the Balmer series and 486 nm is at the higher end of visible light so it is a blue color.