Rydberg formula

The Rydberg formula (Rydberg-Ritz formula) is used in atomic physics for determining the full spectrum of light emission from hydrogen, later extended to be useful with any element.

Rydberg formula for any hydrogen-like element

The formula above can be extended for use with any hydrogen-like chemical elements.

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:rac{1}{lambda_{mathrm{vac}}} = RZ^2 left(rac{1}{n_1^2}-rac{1}{n_2^2} ight)

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where

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• $lambda\_\{mathrm\{vac\}\}$ is the wavelength of the light emitted in vacuum;
• $R$ is the Rydberg constant for this element;
• $Z$ is the atomic number, i.e. the number of protons in the atomic nucleus of this element;
• $n\_1$ and $n\_2$ are integers such that .

It's important to notice that this formula can be applied only to hydrogen-like, also called hydrogenic atoms chemical elements, i.e. atoms with only one electron on external system of orbitals. Examples would include He+, Li2+, Be3+ etc.

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