# Homework Help: Data Analysis

1. Aug 18, 2010

### frostchaos123

Hi all

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Estimate the value and uncertainty of the Rydberg constant given the 4 values of wavelengths that correspond to a certain value of n. (e.g n=3, wavelength = 6*10^7m; n=4, wavelength = 5*10^7m).

2. Relevant equations
Rydberg constant = wavelength *(4n^2/(n^2-4)), where n is an integer > 2.

3. The attempt at a solution

I tried to calculate the standard error of the wavelength by taking the standard deviation of 4 values of wavelengths provided divided by sqrt (4). However my main question is should i consider n as another variable with a standard error? To me it does not make sense as n is a constant, even though the different values of wavelength are obtained at differing values of n.

If n is not considered an extra variable, then i will have no need to use the proprogation of error formula to estimate my final uncertainty of the rydberg constant.

Thanks for the help.