Atoms and Nuclei


   
 
Numerical 06
06. Using the Rydberg formula, calculate the wavelengths of the first four spectral lines in the Balmer series of the hydrogen spectrum.
 
Suggested solution:
 
The Rydberg formula is
 
 
The wavelengths of the first four lines in the Balmer series correspond to transitions from ni = 3,4,5,6 to nf = 2.
 
We know
 
 
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
Substituting,
 
ni = 3, 4, 5 and 6, we get
 
 
 
     
   
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