## difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

$c=\lambda v$

emma brinton_3B
Posts: 53
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:17 am

### difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

In what situations would you use Rydberg's equation vs De Broglie's equation?

Celine 1F
Posts: 98
Joined: Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:16 am

### Re: difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

The Rydberg equation shows the relationship between the wavelength/frequency of a line on the spectrum, as well as the energy levels involved in the transitions. The De Broglie equations demonstrates the relationship between mass, velocity, and wavelength of a particle.

Alice Chang 2H
Posts: 80
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

I found this info from a quick Google search, so you may want to double check this info. But here's what I found:

Rydberg equation:
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.

De Broglie equation:
The de Broglie equation is an equation used to describe the wave properties of matter, specifically, the wave nature of the electron:​ λ = h/mv, where λ is wavelength, h is Planck's constant, m is the mass of a particle, moving at a velocity v. de Broglie suggested that particles can exhibit properties of waves.

So basically, both Rydberg and De Broglie are used to find wavelength of light, but based on different given variables.

^^Celine explains it better!

Siya Shah 1J
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Aug 17, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

De Broglie's equation is used to describe the wave properties of matter, whereas Rydberg's equation is used to calculate the wavelength of a light emitted from an electron that moves between energy levels.

cassidysong 1K
Posts: 80
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:15 am

### Re: difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

The De Broglie equation is to find the wavelength of matter since all moving objects with rest mass however it only has wavelike properties with an extremely small mass. The Rydberg equation is to calculate the amount of energy released when an electron drops to a lower energy level and works only for hydrogen; the equation can also be used in conjunction with E=hν and λν=c. De Broglie's equation cannot be used with those two equations because they are only for the atomic spectra whereas De Broglie's equation can be used for all matter with momentum.

Abigail_Hagen2G
Posts: 85
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: difference between Rydberg equation and De Broglie equation

Okay, that makes sense. So, de Broglie's equation shows the relationship of the wavelength, mass, and velocity of a small particle, and Rydberg predicts the energy of an electron moving between energy levels, but only for hydrogen.