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needhelpperson
Sep20-04, 05:10 PM
The hydrogen atom can absorb light of wavelength 4055nm. Determine the inital and final values of n associated with this absorption.

Well i figured out the Energy it absorbed

(h*c)/(wavelength)

= ((6.63*10-34)*(3*10^8))/(4055/10^9)

=4.905 * 10^-20 J

so 4905*10^-20 = -2.18*10-18*(1/nf^2 - 1/ni^2)

1/nf^2 - 1/ni^2 = -.0225

How do i solve these two unknowns, other than guess and check?

K.J.Healey
Sep20-04, 06:20 PM
I think its pretty much guess and check from there. I get 5 and 4.

needhelpperson
Sep20-04, 06:24 PM
I think its pretty much guess and check from there. I get 5 and 4.

ya i got the same answers.... but i just wanted to see if any one has a different method to solve this problem .