Finding n for Line Spectra with 400 nm Wavelength

[pisay]

I was given 400 nm. I was tasked to find n but i kept getting a value which is a not a integer. The value of n must be an integer right?

1/W = R(1/4 - 1/n^2)

manipulate

n=sqrt(4RW/RW-4)

where R=1.097e7

n=6.752

I am thinking to make n as 6. But are there values of n greater than 5?

 

[malawi_glenn]

n can take any integer number(greater than zero), and since you got n=6.752, I would give the answer n=7.

n = 7 gives you W = 397nm ...

 

[denian]

Yes, there are values of n that can be greater than 5. The equation for finding n, which is known as the Rydberg formula, allows for any positive integer value for n. In this case, the value of n is approximately 6.752, which is not an integer. This may be due to experimental error or limitations in the equipment used to measure the wavelength.

However, it is important to note that the Rydberg formula is an approximation and may not always give an exact integer value for n. It is also possible that the wavelength of 400 nm does not correspond exactly to a specific value of n, as there is a continuous spectrum of wavelengths for each element's line spectra. Therefore, it is common to use the nearest integer value for n when analyzing line spectra data.

In conclusion, while the value of n should ideally be an integer, it is possible to have non-integer values due to experimental limitations and the nature of the Rydberg formula. It is acceptable to round the value of n to the nearest integer when analyzing line spectra data.