Rydberg formula

[Blake Salfer 1B]

How to you use the Rydberg Formula to calculate wavelength of radiation generated by the transition from n=4 to n=2?

[Alexa_Henrie_1I]

First plug in n=4 into the formula to solve for the energy at that level. Then do the same for n=2. After calculating these answers, find the difference between the two using Energyfinal-Energyinitial. Finally plug this difference into equation: wavelength=h(c)/E.

[Dimitri Speron 1C]

If you want to use the Rydberg Equation, use the final energy level = n1, the initial energy level is =n2. Then you simply plug in to a calculator and solve. As mentioned in lecture though, the other method is somewhat less susceptible to errors.

[Madeera_Mian_3B]

I agree with the previous replies, just plug in n=4 and n=2 to find the energy at each level. subtract the final and initial energy and plug in to find wavelength.

[Nicholas Le 4H]

Adding on, you can use the formula E=hR(1/n^2(final)-1/n^2(initial)) to find the energy difference in one step. Then plugging it back into the equation E=hv to find frequency and then using C=wavelength(frequency) to find wavelength.

[michelle]

You can use the one written in the textbook, which the professor didn't cover in lecture. That one is more straight forward to calculate the problems you mentioned. But he also said that he prefer students to use the equation he covered, which will also be used in exams.