Calculate Energy & Wavelength of Hydrogen Atom Absorption

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The discussion focuses on calculating the energy absorbed by a hydrogen atom when it absorbs light at a wavelength of 4055 nm, resulting in an energy value of approximately 4.905 x 10^-20 J. Participants explore how to determine the initial (ni) and final (nf) quantum numbers associated with this absorption using the formula 1/nf^2 - 1/ni^2. The consensus is that the values for nf and ni are likely 5 and 4, respectively, but there is a desire for alternative methods to solve for these quantum numbers rather than relying on guess and check. Overall, the conversation highlights the challenge of solving for two unknowns in quantum mechanics.
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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?
 
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I think its pretty much guess and check from there. I get 5 and 4.
 
Healey01 said:
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 anyone has a different method to solve this problem .
 
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