Interpreting Rydberg Equation

[Sasha Gladkikh 2A]

For the Rydberg equation v = R * (1/n₁² - 1/n₂²), what are n₁ and n₂? More specifically, which is the final energy level and initial energy level?

[Lawrence Javelo Disc 3B]

n1 and n2 represent the shells of the hydrogen atom that the electron is at. n2 represents the initial shell of the electron and n1 represents the final shell.

[Sasha Gladkikh 2A]

n1 and n2 represent the shells of the hydrogen atom that the electron is at. n2 represents the initial shell of the electron and n1 represents the final shell.

Hi,

Thanks for the response!

Does this also apply for the absorption of energy in a hydrogen atom? For example, if an electron in a hydrogen atom transitions from n_i = 1 to n_f = 3, the difference (1/3² - 1/1²) would be negative. This would result in a negative frequency when multiplied by the Rydberg constant.

[Nishan Reddy 3K]

You have to get a positive value for the wavelength, so generally, n1 represents the final energy level whereas n2 refers to the initial energy level. Either way you will get the wavelength as long as you remember that it should be positive.

[Marleena]

n1 is the final energy and n2 is the initial energy. It is always (final-initial).