Question

Calculate the maximum wavelength of light capable of removing an electron for a hydrogen atom from the energy state of n=4 if it requires an energy of at least 1.36 x10^-19 J to do this.

I just want to know how to find the second n value so i can solve with rydeburgs equation??

Answer 1

If you remove the electron, that means it is moved to just outside the H atom and that means you use n = infinity. In the equation, then, 1/infinity = 0. In effect you simply have R*[1/(n^2)1-(n^2)2 = R*(16 -0)