Calculate Rh value from Rydberg Equation

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In summary, the value of λ for one line of the hydrogen spectrum is 4.118 x 10^-7m. Using this value in the Rydberg equation with n1 = 2 and n2 = 3, the calculated value of RH is 3.473 x 10^-18. However, this answer may have been auto-rejected from a web-based homework form due to the wrong number of significant figures or the use of "x" instead of "E". The problem statement may also be unclear on the units required for RH (SI/MKS or electron-volts).
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WK95
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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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  • #2
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?
 
  • #3
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.)
 

What is the Rydberg equation?

The Rydberg equation is a mathematical formula that relates the wavelengths of spectral lines emitted by hydrogen atoms to the energy levels of its electrons.

What is the significance of calculating the Rh value from the Rydberg equation?

Calculating the Rh value allows us to determine the Rydberg constant, which is a fundamental constant in physics. It is used to describe the energy levels of electrons in atoms and molecules.

How do you calculate the Rh value from the Rydberg equation?

The Rh value can be calculated by rearranging the Rydberg equation to solve for Rh, which is equal to the difference between the inverse of the squared wavelength of two spectral lines multiplied by the difference between their energy levels.

What units are used in the Rydberg equation?

The Rydberg equation uses units of meters for wavelength and inverse meters for energy levels. However, these can be converted to other units such as nanometers and electron volts for convenience.

What is the practical application of the Rydberg equation and Rh value?

The Rydberg equation and Rh value are used in spectroscopy, which is the study of the interaction between matter and electromagnetic radiation. It allows scientists to analyze the energy levels of atoms and molecules, and has applications in fields such as astronomy, chemistry, and physics.

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