CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY

a) Use the Rydberg formula for atomic hydrogen to calculate the wavelength of radiation generated by the transition from n=4 to n=2

For this part of the homework question, I need help understanding how to find c through the relationship of c=vλ beforehand so that I can then actually solve for the wavelength?

Rydbery formula:
V=R(1/n1^2 + 1/n2^2)
C=vλ
So you can just substitute Rydbery formula for V since thats what it equals.
C=R(1/n1^2 + 1/n2^2)λ

Then just plug in your numbers

Also, the question should have specified which one was n1 and which was n2, so don't get confused! It is supposed to be { 1/4 - 1/16}, not the other way around.

You can also use the formula En= -hR/n^2 which Dr. Lavelle used in one of the previous lectures too right?