1. What is the Rydberg Equation?

The Rydberg equation predicts the wavelength of light resulting from an electron moving between energy levels in a hydrogen atom. It's fundamental in atomic physics and spectroscopy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Rydberg equation for hydrogen:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength of emitted/absorbed light (m)
• \( R_H \) — Rydberg constant for hydrogen (1.097 × 10⁷ m^-1)
• \( n_1 \) — Principal quantum number of initial energy level
• \( n_2 \) — Principal quantum number of final energy level

Explanation: The equation calculates the inverse wavelength of light emitted when an electron transitions between two energy levels in a hydrogen atom.

3. Importance of Wavelength Calculation

Details: The Rydberg equation helps predict spectral lines in the hydrogen spectrum, which is crucial for understanding atomic structure and quantum mechanics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter integer values for energy levels (n₁ and n₂), where n₂ > n₁. The calculator will output the wavelength in meters and nanometers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical values for n₁ and n₂?
A: For visible light (Balmer series), n₁ = 2 and n₂ = 3,4,5... For Lyman series (UV), n₁ = 1.

Q2: Why does the equation only work for hydrogen?
A: The simple form works for hydrogen because it has only one electron. Other elements require modified equations.

Q3: What is the Rydberg constant?
A: It's a physical constant relating to the electromagnetic spectra of atoms, with a value of approximately 1.097 × 10⁷ m^-1 for hydrogen.

Q4: Can this calculate energy of the photon?
A: Yes, once you have the wavelength, you can use E = hc/λ to find the photon energy.

Q5: What are the limitations of this equation?
A: It doesn't account for fine structure, hyperfine structure, or other quantum effects that cause small shifts in spectral lines.