Answer to Question #135583 in General Chemistry for Tiera crook

Question

What scientist first developed an equation to calculate the wavelengths of lines in the emission spectrum of hydrogen atoms?

Answer 1

The answer is: Rydberg

Rydberg formula for hydrogen:

$1/\lambda_v=R_H(1/n_1^2-1/n_2^2)$,

where:

$\lambda_v$ is the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted in vacuum

$R_H$ is the Rydberg constant for hydrogen, approximately 1.09677583×107 m−1

$n_1$ is the principal quantum number of an energy level

$n_2$ is the principal quantum number of an energy level for the atomic electron transition.