## Rydberg Equation

H-Atom ($E_{n}=-\frac{hR}{n^{2}}$)

1K Kevin
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

### Rydberg Equation

Can someone explain when I should use the equation v = R * ( 1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2) and how does this relate to energy and the atomic spectra

Yousif Jafar 1G
Posts: 59
Joined: Thu May 10, 2018 3:00 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

For the Rydberg equation, it is usually used when you want to determine the wavelength of the radiation when an electron goes from n-initial to n-final. to do that you find the frequency, nu (the one that looks like a v) and from there you utilize c=lambda/nu to find the wavelength. You can relate this to energy through a multitude of equations and this relates to the atomic spectra because when you determine the wavelength, you can compare it to the element's spectrum and determine what series the wavelength belongs to (balmer or lyman series).

Kim Tran 1J
Posts: 62
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

You would use the Rydberg Equation when calculating the wavelength of light emitted when an electron moves between energy levels.
In terms of what we have learned so far in class, this equation can be applied to find the wavelength of the lines in the hydrogen emission spectrum (refer to the Balmer series, Lyman series, etc. which would provide you what n1 would equal to in the equation).

1K Kevin
Posts: 47
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:24 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

Thank you!! These were extremely helpful clarifying!

danicatran4
Posts: 35
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:17 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

Is the Rydberg equation the one Dr. Lavelle said in lecture not to use? What do we use instead?

Zenita Leang 2K
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:28 am

### Rydberg Equation

Yeah, he said not to use the Rydberg equation but we can use the E= -hr/n^2 instead! :)

MichelleTran 1I
Posts: 40
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:23 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

Would we use the E= -hr/n^2 along with E=hv to solve for nu and the subsequently c=lambda*nu to find wavelength?

Henry Dudley 1G
Posts: 61
Joined: Fri Sep 28, 2018 12:16 am

### Re: Rydberg Equation

What is the difference between R(1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2) and -hR/n^2?