Rydberg Constant

[Angela Cordova 3F]

I noticed there are two values that are used for the Rydberg constant (3.29x10^15 and 1.09x10^7). In which circumstances are each of them used when solving a problem?

[Jeremy_Guiman2E]

The Rydberg constant is 3.29 x 10¹⁵ when using frequency = R (1/n₁² - 1/n₂²).

Because c = wavelength x frequency, there is another form of the equation. Plugging in c/wavelength for what was frequency and rearranging the equation, we'd get: 1/wavelength = R/c x (1/n₁² - 1/n₂²).

The R/c value in the second value is the second (albeit, modified) Rydberg constant because R/c = 3.29 x 10¹⁵/ 2.998 x 10⁸ which gives us 1.097 x 10⁷.

So, really there only is one Rydberg constant. The second value you said is just Rydberg's constant divided by the speed of light as used in the second form of the equation. Hope this helps!

[Angela Cordova 3F]

Thank you so much! ^^

[Jeremy_Guiman2E]

No problem!