Question

What is the wavelength of a photon that will be emitted when an electron in the hydrogen atom moves from n

Answer 1

Answer:

Use the Rydberg Equation 1/λ = R(1/n²(final) - 1/n²(initial) where R = 109,678 cm⁻¹. Substitute initial orbital number and final orbital number and solve for wavelength (λ).

Explanation:

Example:

Assume an electron transition from n = 5 to n = 2.

1/λ = 109,678cm⁻¹(1/2² - 1/5²) = 109,678(0.25 - 0.04)cm⁻¹ = 23,032cm⁻¹

λ = 1/23,032cm⁻¹ = 4.34 x 10⁻⁵cm x 10⁻²m/cm x 10⁹nm/m = 434nm