What is the Rydberg constant?

where R H is the Rydberg constant and is equal to 109,737 cm -1 and n 1 and n 2 are integers (whole numbers) with n 2 > n 1. For the Balmer lines, n 1 = 2 and n 2 can be any whole number between 3 and infinity.

Why did Rydberg rewrite Balmer's formula?

Rydberg was trying: when he became aware of Balmer's formula for the hydrogen spectrum In this equation, m is an integer and h is a constant (not to be confused with the later Planck constant ). Rydberg therefore rewrote Balmer's formula in terms of wavenumbers, as .

What does h mean in Rydberg's formula?

Thus, (in this formula the h represents Planck's constant). Modern understanding is that Rydberg's findings were a reflection of the underlying simplicity of the behavior of spectral lines, in terms of fixed (quantized) energy differences between electron orbitals in atoms.

What is Rydberg's theory for the hydrogen spectra?

Describe Rydberg's theory for the hydrogen spectra. Interpret the hydrogen spectrum in terms of the energy states of electrons. In an amazing demonstration of mathematical insight, in 1885 Balmer came up with a simple formula for predicting the wavelength of any of the lines in atomic hydrogen in what we now know as the Balmer series.