Rydberg Equation

1
1 1
=R H 2 2

n1 nn

RH = 1.097 x 107
m-1
n1 = lower energy
level

Lyman Series
H

Ionisation Energy
-

Is the minimum energy required to remove 1 mole of electron from 1 mole of

gaseous atom to form 1 mole of unipositive gaseous ion.
H(g) H+(g) +
There are 3 methods to determine the ionisation energy of hydrogen.
i)
Use the convergence limit in the Lyman Series
ii)
By using the Rydberg Equation
iii)
Use the graphical method if frequency of several lines in Lyman Series
is given
Calculate the frequency difference (f) between the successive
lines.
- Plot a graph of f against f.
- Extrapolate the graph obtained to obtain the f when f = 0
- Use the formula E = hf to calculate the ionisation energy

Exercise
1. Calculate the wavelength of H in the Balmer Series.
2. Calculate the ionisation energy of hydrogen if the convergence limit in Lyman
Series is corresponds to frequency 3.28 x 10 15 Hz.
3. By using the Rydberg Equation, calculate the ionisation energy of hydrogen in
kJ mol-1.
4. Frequencies of the spectral lines in the Lyman Series is shown below
24.66, 29.23, 30.83, 31.57, 31.97, 32.21, 32.37 (x 10 14) Hz
Find the ionisation energy of hydrogen in kJ mol -1.