## Rydberg equation

Xinying Wang_3C
Posts: 67
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:39 pm

### Rydberg equation

In the equation: v=R(1/(n2)^-1/(n1)^2), is n1 the higher one, or is n2 the higher one? I always got confused about these two.

Isaias Gomez D3A
Posts: 62
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### Re: Rydberg equation

It really depends on the context of the problem. If its an emission, then n2 will be smaller and vice versa.

Megan Hulsy 1A
Posts: 85
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 9:51 pm

### Re: Rydberg equation

I just think of the equation as v=R(1/nf^2 - 1/ni^2) but i've seen that it only works for emission problems. However, I noticed that making the Rydberg constant negative in this same formula for absorption problems works as well. It just depends if it's an emission or absorption problem :)

George Cazares 1E
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### Re: Rydberg equation

It depends on whether the problem tells you if it is an emission or absorption of energy, and what which values of n it gives you for the transition of energy. Like the above post says, it depends on the context of the problem.

Kelly Tran 1J
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### Re: Rydberg equation

In v=R(1/(n2)^-1/(n1)^2), n2 is the lower energy level and n1 is the higher energy level. I like to use v=R(1/(nF)^-1/(nI)^2), where nF is the final energy level and nI is the initial energy level. In my opinion, using nF and nI instead of n2 and n1 is "better" since I have seen others switch around n2 and n1, and it also makes it clear which energy level is the final one and which is the initial one.

Posts: 71
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:03 pm

### Re: Rydberg equation

Like many people said, it depends on if it's an emission or absorption problem. I think you'll mostly see it used in emission though!

Stephen Min 1I
Posts: 60
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:01 pm

### Re: Rydberg equation

If it an emission problem, n1 is the lower energy level and n2 is the higher energy level. If it is an absorption problem, n1 is the higher energy level and n2 is the lower energy level.

emilyyribarren1k
Posts: 56
Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:10 pm
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### Re: Rydberg equation

Like others were saying, it depends on if it is an absorption or emission problem. It's best to think of it in terms of nfinal - ninitial when looking at this equation.