Rydberg equation [ENDORSED]

[KHowe_1D]

What exactly is the Rydberg equation and how do you know when to use it?

[Chem_Mod]

In class I will cover this topic in detail using more fundamental concepts to solve problems (and not directly using the Rydberg equation).

[Jessa Maheras 4F]

The Rydberg equation is used in to find the wavelength of light emitted when an electron moves between energy levels. This one of the concepts covered under the quantum mechanics of the atom.

[Lauren Tindall]

The Rydberg formula, by definition, is a mathematical formula which predicts the wavelength of light coming from an electron moving between energy levels of an atom according to the science website, ThoughtCo.

[AnayaArnold_3L]

What exactly is the Rydberg equation and how do you know when to use it?

You usually use igt in place of a constant when trying to calculate wavelength or frequency!

[Tauhid Islam- 1H]

The Rydberg equation is used in to find the wavelength of light emitted when an electron moves between energy levels. This one of the concepts covered under the quantum mechanics of the atom.

is the equation just for when an electron is moving from a higher energy level to a lower energy level, thus finding the frequency of a photon that is emitted? or can it also be used for when an electron is moving from a lower energy level to a higher energy level, (finding the frequency of a photon that is absorbed)? is absorbed even the correct term?

[KatherineValdez_4B]

Thank you for asking, I thought I was the only one that didn't know.

[805097738]

to clarify, is this the speed of light= frequency * wavelength equation? if so it would be used to determine the value of one of those if given the other two.

[Brittany Tran 3I]

that's a different equation. the rydberg equation can be used to calculate wavelength or frequency of an electron when it moves to a different energy level

[BeylemZ-1B]

The rydberg equation, if i am correct, is derived from Bohr's equation. Dr. Lavelle prefers to use Bohr's over the Rydberg equation though.

[Ziyan Wang 3J]

Rydberg equation states that the energy of energy levels equals to hR/n^2 (n=1,2,3...), h is planck constant(6.63*10^-34 Js), R is Rydberg constant (3.29*10^15 Hz)

[BCaballero_4F]

You would use the Rydberg equation to calculate the wavelength of light when an electron moves energy levels.

[MAC 4G]

The Rydberg formula is a mathematical formula used to predict the wavelength of light resulting from an electron moving between energy levels of an atom. Rydberg's findings were combined with Bohr's model in which he found 1/λ = RZ2(1/n12 - 1/n22) where:
λ is the wavelength of the photon (wavenumber = 1/wavelength)
R = Rydberg's constant (1.0973731568539(55) x 107 m-1)
Z = atomic number of the atom
n1 and n2 are integers where n2 > n1.

Here's a video that explains it a little more in depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kOdbqoycmY

[rachel liu 3k]

In class, Professor Lavelle wrote the Rydberg equation with a negative sign on the right to show that energy was being lost. Unfortunately when I used the equation that way, my negatives got all messed up and my answer was wrong...Should I just forget that negative?

[Caroline Zepecki]

When is an example of when you would use the Rydberg equation?

[erica thompson 4I]

Can someone clarify why the Rydberg equation is always negative? Because you're "losing" energy because it's being transferred somewhere else?

[chrischyu4a]

Can someone clarify why the Rydberg equation is always negative? Because you're "losing" energy because it's being transferred somewhere else?

The Rydberg equation is negative because it is comparing the energy difference between the two levels the electrons transitioned between. When an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one, it loses energy which explains the negative sign.

[chrischyu4a]

Can someone clarify why the Rydberg equation is always negative? Because you're "losing" energy because it's being transferred somewhere else?

The Rydberg equation is negative because it is comparing the energy difference between the two levels the electrons transitioned between. When an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one, it loses energy which explains the negative sign.

[melinak1]

are the final units wirtten in Hz or Js?

[Sean Cheah 1E]

In class, Professor Lavelle wrote the Rydberg equation with a negative sign on the right to show that energy was being lost. Unfortunately when I used the equation that way, my negatives got all messed up and my answer was wrong...Should I just forget that negative?

When using the Rydberg formula, the order of your two principal quantum numbers (the two n's that represent the energy levels between which the electron is traveling) is very important. The equation the formula Lavelle wrote on the board (with a negative sign) places the final principal quantum number before the initial, which is, in a way, quite intuitive because many chemistry formulas contain this motif of final minus initial. By contrast, the formula posted by MAC 1A above (without the negative sign) places the initial principal before the final, essentially distributing the negative sign. This confusing detail is likely the main reason Lavelle encouraged us to use the difference of two Bohr equations rather than the plug-and-chug Rydberg formula.

[Megan_1F]

Can someone please tell me which units cancel out when solving the Rydberg equation?

[Sean Cheah 1E]

are the final units wirtten in Hz or Js?

This depends on what the question is asking for. The traditional form of the Rydberg formula, as posted by MAC 1G above, allows you to plug in constants on the left side to get 1 over the wavelength of the photon that will be emitted/absorbed when an electron transitions between the energy levels represented by your principal quantum numbers. If the problem you are attempting to solve only asks for the wavelength, you can simply take the reciprocal of whatever you get on the right side to get an answer in m (which you would then most likely convert to nm for convenience). On the other hand, a more complicated problem could ask for the frequency of the emitted light or even the energy of the photon. In those cases, you would use and/or as needed, and your final answer would be in Hz or Joules, respectively.

[Sean Cheah 1E]

Can someone please tell me which units cancel out when solving the Rydberg equation?

The principal quantum numbers (the n's) have no units. The Rydberg constant has the units . Basically, everything on the right side will work out to some answer with the units . This matches the left side as 1 over the frequency would naturally also have the units . There's really no cancelling of units happening at all in this formula AFAIK.

[MaggieHan1L]

The rydberg equation I think is just an equation that combines a few steps of the Einitial - Efinal method.

[Anvi Brahmbhatt 4A]

The Rydberg formula is a mathematical formula used to predict the wavelength of light resulting from an electron moving between energy levels of an atom. Rydberg's findings were combined with Bohr's model in which he found 1/λ = RZ2(1/n12 - 1/n22) where:
λ is the wavelength of the photon (wavenumber = 1/wavelength)
R = Rydberg's constant (1.0973731568539(55) x 107 m-1)
Z = atomic number of the atom
n1 and n2 are integers where n2 > n1.

Here's a video that explains it a little more in depth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kOdbqoycmY

Thank you for this! I'll definitely check this video out.

[Catherine Daye 1L]

You use the Rydberg equation to calculate the wavelength of light released when an electron jumps down to lower energy levels.

[Tauhid Islam- 1H]

What does the Energy value that we calculate in the Rydberg's Equation represent? The energy of the emitted EMR? or the energy (gained or lost) of the electron as it is moving between discreet energy levels? Or is it the same?

[Emma Joy Schaetz 1E]

Can someone help me understand why we use the Rydberg equation?

[CarolCao4F]

What does the Energy value that we calculate in the Rydberg's Equation represent? The energy of the emitted EMR? or the energy (gained or lost) of the electron as it is moving between discreet energy levels? Or is it the same?

I believe the energy value calculated in the Rydberg's Equation represents the energy of the electron at a specific energy level. To find the energy gained or lost of the electron as it moves between quantum levels, you use the Rydberg Equation to find the energy of the electron at the initial quantum level and then the energy of the electron at the final quantum level. Then, you simply find the change in E = E(initial) - E (final).

[CarolCao4F]

Can someone help me understand why we use the Rydberg equation?

The Rydberg equation is used to calculate the energy of an electron at a certain principle quantum level of an atom. We'll usually use it in problems where we're asked to calculate the change in energy, frequency, or velocity that occurs when an electron moves from on quantum level to another. For the example Lavelle showed in class,

"ex. Calculate the frequency of light emitted by a hydrogen atom when an electron makes a transition from the fourth to the second principle quantum level"

we used the Rydberg equation to calculate first the change in energy from the electron moving from the fourth to the second principle quantum level before using the equation E=hv to calculate the frequency of light emitted when this transition occurred.

[E= (-hR)/(n^2), n =4] - [E= (-hR)/(n^2), n = 2] = change in energy of the electron

[Madeline Phan 1E]

The Rydberg equation is found in our textbook and is used to calculate the wavelength of any spectral line in many chemical elements. However, Dr. Lavelle taught us a different approach in class because the Rydberg equation does not really show us why everything is solved the way it is.

[kevinolvera1j]

The rydberg constant is 3.29x10^15 hz when solving for frequency while in other equations it appears as 1.097x10^-7m in other equations. It's important to use the right version of the constant depending on what you are solving for.

[KatherineValdez_4B]

What units is the final answer in for Rydberg’s equation?

[Rosa Munoz 2E]

Now I am confused... in the textbook R is positive.

[Eesha Chattopadhyay 2K]

The Rydberg equation represents the frequency associated with an electron moving from one energy level to another. The frequency is equal to the Rydberg constant multiplied by the inverse of the final minus initial energy levels. You can use the equation when trying to find the frequency of the wavelength associated with the change in energy levels of the electron.

[Sears 4A]

What exactly is the Rydberg equation and how do you know when to use it?

Dr. Lavelle said he does not expect us to memorize the Rydberg equation since it is such a shortcut, but would rather us understand the steps to how the equation was made in the first place to solve problems.

[TheresaDsilva4A]

The final units of your answer depend on what you are solving for. The principal energy levels (n1 and n2) do not have units. However, if you are solving for the wavelength using the Rydberg equation, the final units of your answer must be meters (or some other measurement of length). For reference, the Rydberg constant in the equation has units m^-1.

[Giselle Littleton 1F]

The Rydberg equation is used to find the wavelength of light as it is absorbed or emitted, and electrons move between energy levels.

[Ruth Glauber 1C]

Where does the name Rydberg come from?

[205389184]

If we are given a problem where we must calculate ΔE using empirical equation for a hydrogen atom, must we memorize Rydberg’s constant or can we determine the answer by other means?

[Jillian C 4C]

The Rydberg equation is 1/λ = RZ2(1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2), with R=Rydberg constant and Z=atomic number of the atom. This is used to find the light's wavelength of an electron moving through different energy levels.

[Bita Ghanei 1F]

Will we ever have to square root n to find the value for an energy state?

[Grecia Velasco 1G]

Where does the name Rydberg come from?

It's named after the Swedish scientist Johannes Rydberg.

[TimVintsDis4L]

Are all of these equations meant to be memorized, or will they be provided on tests?

[ATingin_3I]

Can someone clarify why the Rydberg equation is always negative? Because you're "losing" energy because it's being transferred somewhere else?

The Rydberg equation is negative because it is comparing the energy difference between the two levels the electrons transitioned between. When an electron transitions from a higher energy level to a lower one, it loses energy which explains the negative sign.

what about when an electron transitions from a lower to higher on? Would energy be positive because energy is being absorbed to advance levels?

[AnayaArnold_3L]

What exactly is the Rydberg equation and how do you know when to use it?

From what I can tell you will mostly use it whenever frequency is involved in the problem.

[Quynh Vo]

You can use the Rydberg's formula to when you want to calculate the wavelength of radiation when it transitions from different shell levels.

[Naomi 3G]

Can someone clarify why the Rydberg equation is always negative? Because you're "losing" energy because it's being transferred somewhere else?

The Rydberg equation is negative because it is looking at the change in energy when you go from a high state to a lower state. If you are going from energy in state 4 to energy in state 2, the energy in state 2 is going to be negative in reference to the energy in state 4.

[Ian Morris 3C]

Are all of these equations meant to be memorized, or will they be provided on tests?

Most equations are on the reference sheet on the test. That being said it does not hurt to memorize or at least be very familiar with them.

[Althea Zhao 1B]

Do we need to understand how the Rydberg equation for other 1-electron ions, -[(Z^2)hR]/n^2 is derived, or can we just apply it?

[Angela Prince 1J]

i understand why the first equation prof. lavelle showed us is negative (-hR/n^2). when he derived the second equation (-R[1/n1^2-1/n2^2]) he kept the negative in front but my TA showed that equation as positive. Which is correct?

[705198479]

is there different ways to write the Rydberg equation ? if so which is the most used one

[Lizette Noriega 1H]

In what kinds of scenarios or questions would we need to use the Rydberg equation?

[005384106]

I have seen different equations for solving problems about electrons moving to different energy levels using the Rydberg equation and I was wondering what is the correct value of R?

[005384106]

In what kinds of scenarios or questions would we need to use the Rydberg equation?

You use the Rydberg equation in scenarios where electrons are moving to different energy levels, or for solving the amount of energy is present on an energy level. Both scenarios are different equations using the R unit.

[ShreyaKannan1B]

Is there any problem where you would use Rydberg with another equation?

[005162902]

What exactly is the Rydberg equation and how do you know when to use it?

used to measure the wavelength of light emited when an electron moves from one energy level to the next. Energy of the electron changes when it jumps levels so this equation accounts for that.

[Angela Prince 1J]

Is there any problem where you would use Rydberg with another equation?

from my understanding, you would only use the Rydberg EQ when you are looking for the change in energy when an electron moves from one energy level to another.

[ShreyaKannan1B]

Are all of these equations meant to be memorized, or will they be provided on tests?

Rydberg's constant is provided, but the eqn isn't. However, I think you can use E(lowercase n) = -hR/n^2 which is on the constants sheet.

[Ethan Low 1L]

To what extent do we need to memorize this?

[Mitchell Koss 4G]

Equations will be given on any test. Although the traditional Rydberg equation may not be, but Dr. Lavelle’s preferred Rydberg equ is.

[Anisha Chandra 1K]

For anyone confused about how the negative sign comes into play, you basically use the Rydberg equation to do Efinal - Einitial. So if an electron was going from n=1 to n=3, you'd do: -hR/9 - -hR/1
This would become positive, which makes sense because the electron is gaining energy.

[Katherine Brenner 3H]

I would just watch the video module on our class website for this. It is about 1 hr long but super helpful in understanding how to do the calculations and understanding of the concept as well.

[Arianna Perea 3H]

Since there are different Rydberg equations, does it matter which equation is used or do you have to use a certain one?

[Tiffany Vo 3G]

I don't think it really matters so long as you get the right answer, but I think Dr. Lavelle prefers that we use the one he taught in class because it allows us to conceptually understand what's occurring. Using his equation might also guarantee partial credit if you get part of the problem wrong, but I'd use whatever equation you're most comfortable using.

[Tiffany Vo 3G]

I don't think it really matters so long as you get the right answer, but I think Dr. Lavelle prefers that we use the one he taught in class because it allows us to conceptually understand what's occurring. Using his equation might also guarantee partial credit if you get part of the problem wrong, but I'd use whatever equation you're most comfortable using.

[lasarro]

The Ryberg equation measures energy levels

[AnayaArnold_3L]

As long as you know the equations name and how to use it you should be fine!

[Emma Joy Schaetz 1E]

Can someone help me understand why we use the Rydberg equation?

The Rydberg equation is used to calculate the energy of an electron at a certain principle quantum level of an atom. We'll usually use it in problems where we're asked to calculate the change in energy, frequency, or velocity that occurs when an electron moves from on quantum level to another. For the example Lavelle showed in class,

"ex. Calculate the frequency of light emitted by a hydrogen atom when an electron makes a transition from the fourth to the second principle quantum level"

we used the Rydberg equation to calculate first the change in energy from the electron moving from the fourth to the second principle quantum level before using the equation E=hv to calculate the frequency of light emitted when this transition occurred.

[E= (-hR)/(n^2), n =4] - [E= (-hR)/(n^2), n = 2] = change in energy of the electron

THANK YOU! This really helmped make sense of it.

[bloodorangefield]

It is used for questions that involve wavelengths of light that are emitted when electrons change energy levels.

[bloodorangefield]

It is used for questions that involve wavelengths of light that are emitted when electrons change energy levels.

[brennayoung]

Is there something the Rydberg equation should NOT be used for? I remember my TA saying something about if we used the Rydberg equation in a problem on midterm 1 we would receive no credit but I don't remember which problem it is.

[AnayaArnold_3L]

How would we be able to identify if the problem requires the rydberg equation as soon as we read the problem?

[Alan Cornejo 1a]

Can someone help me understand why we use the Rydberg equation?

The Rydberg equation is used to calculate the energy of an electron at a certain principle quantum level of an atom. We'll usually use it in problems where we're asked to calculate the change in energy, frequency, or velocity that occurs when an electron moves from on quantum level to another. For the example Lavelle showed in class,

"ex. Calculate the frequency of light emitted by a hydrogen atom when an electron makes a transition from the fourth to the second principle quantum level"

we used the Rydberg equation to calculate first the change in energy from the electron moving from the fourth to the second principle quantum level before using the equation E=hv to calculate the frequency of light emitted when this transition occurred.

[E= (-hR)/(n^2), n =4] - [E= (-hR)/(n^2), n = 2] = change in energy of the electron[/quo

Great Clarification, thank you