Rydberg formula

Rydberg's formula as it appears in a November 1888 record

In atomic physics, the Rydberg formula calculates the wavelengths of a spectral line in many chemical elements. The formula was primarily presented as a generalization of the Balmer series for all atomic electron transitions of hydrogen. It was first empirically stated in 1888 by the Swedish physicist Johannes Rydberg,[1] then theoretically by Niels Bohr in 1913, who used a primitive form of quantum mechanics. The formula directly generalizes the equations used to calculate the wavelengths of the hydrogen spectral series.

  1. ^ See:
    • Rydberg, J.R. (1889). "Researches sur la constitution des spectres d'émission des éléments chimiques" [Investigations of the composition of the emission spectra of chemical elements]. Kongliga Svenska Vetenskaps-Akademiens Handlingar [Proceedings of the Royal Swedish Academy of Science]. 2nd series (in French). 23 (11): 1–177.
    • English summary: Rydberg, J.R. (1890). "On the structure of the line-spectra of the chemical elements". Philosophical Magazine. 5th series. 29: 331–337.

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