Rydberg formula

[linda maposa]

hey guys l need your help in my assignment l don't understand what the question wants me to do.

.."The transition energy of atomic hydrogen are given by the Rydberg formula 1/lambda= R(1/n² - 1/m²) where n and m are principal quantum numbers of the two levels. The highest energy series (Lyman) has n=1.

1. Lyman 2 occurs at 97492 cm^-1 . Calculate from this value of R(Rydberg Constant) and hence the wavelength and transition energy for Balmer 1.

thanks guys!

[swansont]

hey guys l need your help in my assignment l don't understand what the question wants me to do.

.."The transition energy of atomic hydrogen are given by the Rydberg formula 1/lambda= R(1/n² - 1/m²) where n and m are principal quantum numbers of the two levels. The highest energy series (Lyman) has n=1.

1. Lyman 2 occurs at 97492 cm^-1 . Calculate from this value of R(Rydberg Constant) and hence the wavelength and transition energy for Balmer 1.

thanks guys!

It's Lyman 2, so what is m? You have the wavenumber and know n=1. Which leaves you with one unknown in the equation: R, which you can solve for. You should then be able to calculate the values for the Balmer line.