Write a Balmer formula and explin each terms
The Balmer formula describes the spectral lines emitted by the hydrogen atom in the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The formula is given by:
1/λ = R * (1/2^2 - 1/n^2)
Where:
- λ represents the wavelength of the emitted light.
- R is the Rydberg constant, equal to approximately 1.097373 x 10^7 m⁻¹.
- n is the principal quantum number of the energy level that the electron transitions to.
Now, let's explain each term in the formula:
1. λ (wavelength): It represents the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs of a wave. In the Balmer formula, λ refers to the wavelength of the emitted light.
2. R (Rydberg constant): It's a physical constant that relates the wavelengths of the emitted light to the energy levels of the hydrogen atom. The value of R is approximately 1.097373 x 10^7 m⁻¹.
3. n (principal quantum number): It represents the energy level that the electron transitions to. In the Balmer series, n takes on integer values greater than 2. For example, for the Balmer series, n can be 3, 4, 5, and so on.
In the formula, the term (1/2^2 - 1/n^2) represents the energy difference between the initial energy level (in this case, the second energy level, which is represented by 2^2) and the final energy level (represented by n^2). The reciprocal of this term gives the wavelength of the emitted light.
By plugging different values of n into the Balmer formula, we can calculate the wavelengths of the spectral lines that correspond to the transitions of the electron within the hydrogen atom. These spectral lines appear as different colors in the visible spectrum.