[akushuki]

? for one line of the hydrogen spectrum is .4118 x 10-4 cm. Use this value in the Rydberg equation to calculate the RH value using n1 = 2, and n2 = 3.

So heres what I did.
I took .4118X10-4 cm and made it into m.

So ?=.4118 X 10-6

then

1/?= R(1/n1-1/n2)

1/.4118 X 10-6 = R(5/36)

1/R=.00000057/1
.00000057R=1
R=1754385.965
R=1.754X10^-6

This is apparently wrong. Any hints, tips, solutions, ect. would be greatly appreciated.

[akushuki]

Anybody have any ideas?  

[enahs]

I get 1.7484X10⁺⁷ with the numbers you provided.

[akushuki]

so did my roommate...
but that isnt it.

[enahs]

What doe the book say is the answer? I can use it's answer to calculate backwards, perhaps the given wavelength is not what they intended/calculated for.


Note, books are not always correct.
Go to the publishers website and look for a errata.
Also note, that the answer is a decent amount away from the accepted value, which is not good. I suspect the given wavelength is wrong.

[akushuki]

What doe the book say is the answer? I can use it's answer to calculate backwards, perhaps the given wavelength is not what they intended/calculated for.


Note, books are not always correct.
Go to the publishers website and look for a errata.
Also note, that the answer is a decent amount away from the accepted value, which is not good. I suspect the given wavelength is wrong.

No such luck. Not a book but CAPA.
Basically CAPA hates everyone and sends liquid hate through the internet tubes.
CAPA is what my university uses for prelabs and for hw. Its all online, and while seeming to be a good idea at first. Is in fact, horrible.

1. [1pt]
Ionization energy is defined as the minimum energy required to remove an electron from the ground state (n0) to infinity (n?). Determine the wavelength of radiation required to ionize the hydrogen electron from the n = 2 energy level. Calculate the energy (Joules) associated with this photon. (1 cm-1 = 1.986 x 10-23 J)

Correct, computer gets: 5.4440789e-19

2. [1pt]
? for one line of the hydrogen spectrum is .4118 x 10-4 cm. Use this value in the Rydberg equation to calculate the RH value using n1 = 2, and n2 = 3.

Answer: Last Answer: 1.748e7
Incorrect, tries 33/99.

Just a cut and paste.

[akushuki]

ok.

My suitemate helped me solve it by basically suggesting I try a new formula.

we used.
1/?=RH/hc * (1/n²-1/m²)           

solving. We got
3.477X10^-20
Converting to meters we got the final of
3.477X10^-18