TransWikia.com

Hydrogen Emission vs Absorption Wavenumbers

Physics Asked on September 26, 2021

I am used to using the formula $ R_H (frac{1}{n^2_{final}}-frac{1}{n^2_{initial}}) $ to calculate the transition wavenumbers when an electron in a Hydrogen atom emits a photon. Can you use the same formula to calculate the wavenumber when a electron absorbs a photon?

One Answer

Yes, the energy (and therefore the photon wavelength) required for the transition between two energy levels is independent of the "direction". One way to see this is observing absorption and emmision spectra of the hydrogen, where the position of the lines for both types is the same.

Correct answer by Pablo Lemos on September 26, 2021

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question

Get help from others!

© 2024 TransWikia.com. All rights reserved. Sites we Love: PCI Database, UKBizDB, Menu Kuliner, Sharing RPP