Calculate Rh value from Rydberg Equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the Rydberg constant (RH) using the Rydberg equation with a given wavelength of λ = 0.4118 x 10-4 cm, and quantum numbers n1 = 2 and n2 = 3. The correct calculation yields RH = 3.473 x 10-18, although there are concerns regarding significant figures and the definition of RH. The problem statement is noted to be poorly defined, potentially leading to confusion about the required units and formatting.

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Homework Statement


λ for one line of the hydrogen spectrum is .4118 x 10-4 cm. Use this value in the Rydberg equation to calculate the RH value using n1 = 2, and n2 = 3.


Homework Equations


## \frac{1}{ \lambda } = \frac{R_{h}}{hc} ( \frac{1}{n_{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{n_{y}^{2}})##
## \frac{1}{ \lambda } = R( \frac{1}{n_{x}^{2}}-\frac{1}{n_{y}^{2}})##
##\lambda = 0.4118 x 10^{-4} cm= 4.118 x 10^{-5} cm = 4.118 x 10^{-7}m##
##x_{1} = 2##
##X_{2} = 3##
##h=6.626 x 10^{-34} J*s##
##c=2.998 x 10^{8} m/s##

The Attempt at a Solution


## \frac{1}{4.118 x 10^{-7}m} = \frac{R_{h}}{(6.626 x 10^{-34} J*s)(2.998 x 10^{8} m/s)} ( \frac{1}{2^{2}}-\frac{1}{3^{2}})##
##R_{h}=3.473x10^{-18}##
This is wrong however
 
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This is the right answer as far as I can tell. Maybe your answer got auto-rejected from a web-based homework form for the wrong number of sig figs?
 
TeethWhitener said:
This is the right answer as far as I can tell. Maybe your answer got auto-rejected from a web-based homework form for the wrong number of sig figs?
Or they might want an ## E ## in place of your ## x ##. ## R_H ## needs to be defined, and what units are they looking for=SI/MKS or electron-volts? The statement of the problem appears to be poorly defined. (A google showed this same question appeared on the Chem Forums website.)
 

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