Free Hydrogen Spectrum Calculator
Calculate the wavelength of a spectral line of hydrogen using the Rydberg formula: 1/lambda = R * (1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2).
Wavelength
0.000000656096 m
Wavelength (nm)656.0962 nm
Photon Energy1.888889 eV
Wavelength vs Lower Level (n1)
Hydrogen Spectral Lines (Rydberg Formula)
When an electron transitions between energy levels in hydrogen, it emits or absorbs a photon with a specific wavelength.
Formula
1/lambda = R_H * (1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2)
Series: Lyman (n1=1, UV), Balmer (n1=2, visible), Paschen (n1=3, IR).
Example Calculation
H-alpha line: n1 = 2 to n2 = 3 (Balmer series).
- 011/lambda = R * (1/4 - 1/9)
- 021/4 - 1/9 = 5/36 = 0.1389
- 031/lambda = 1.0974e7 * 0.1389 = 1.524e6 m^-1
- 04lambda = 6.563e-7 m = 656.3 nm (red)
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