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-like atom. It's fundamental in atomic physics and spectroscopy.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Rydberg equation:

Where:

• \( \lambda \) — Wavelength of emitted/absorbed light (m)
• \( R \) — Rydberg constant (1.097 × 10⁷ m⁻¹)
• \( Z \) — Atomic number of the atom
• \( n_1 \) — Principal quantum number of initial energy level
• \( n_2 \) — Principal quantum number of final energy level

Explanation: The equation calculates the inverse wavelength (wavenumber) of photons emitted when electrons transition between energy levels.

3. Importance of the Rydberg Equation

Details: The equation accurately predicts spectral lines of hydrogen and hydrogen-like ions, validating quantum theory and enabling spectroscopic analysis.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter atomic number (1 for hydrogen), initial (n₁) and final (n₂) quantum numbers where n₂ > n₁. Results show both wavenumber (m⁻¹) and wavelength (nm).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does the equation work best for hydrogen?
A: The equation assumes a single electron system. For multi-electron atoms, electron shielding affects the accuracy.

Q2: What are typical values for n₁ and n₂?
A: For visible hydrogen spectrum (Balmer series), n₁=2 and n₂=3,4,5... For UV (Lyman series), n₁=1.

Q3: What if n₁ equals n₂?
A: The result would be zero (no transition). The calculator requires n₂ > n₁.

Q4: Can this calculate absorption wavelengths?
A: Yes, the same equation applies to both emission and absorption spectra.

Q5: Why is wavelength sometimes shown in nm?
A: Nanometers (10⁻⁹ m) are more practical units for visible and UV wavelengths.