BALMER FORMULA Meaning and
Definition
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The Balmer formula is a mathematical equation that describes the wavelengths of spectral lines in the hydrogen atom's emission spectrum. It was developed by the Swiss physicist Johann Balmer in 1885. The formula allows for the calculation of the wavelengths of the visible light emitted by excited hydrogen atoms when they return to the ground state.
The Balmer formula can be mathematically represented as follows:
1/λ = R(1/2^2 - 1/n^2)
Where λ is the wavelength of the spectral line, R is the Rydberg constant, and n is an integer representing the energy level of the electron in the hydrogen atom. The Rydberg constant (R) is a fundamental constant that relates to the energy levels in hydrogen.
The Balmer formula specifically applies to the visible light region of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. It accurately predicts the wavelengths of these specific spectral lines in the hydrogen atom's atomic emission spectrum.
The Balmer formula was a significant breakthrough in understanding the behavior of atomic emission spectra and played a crucial role in the development of early quantum theory. It contributed to the identification and understanding of spectral lines in various astronomical objects, including stars and nebulae. The formula is still widely used today in spectroscopy and astrophysics to study the composition and properties of matter in the universe.
Etymology of BALMER FORMULA
The term "Balmer formula" is named after Johann Balmer, a Swiss mathematician and mathematical physicist who discovered the empirical formula for calculating the wavelengths of the spectral lines emitted by hydrogen atoms. The formula, known as the Balmer series, was first published by Balmer in 1885, and it predicted the observed patterns of spectral lines in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The formula played a crucial role in the development of quantum mechanics and the understanding of atomic structure. Therefore, it was named after its discoverer, Johann Balmer, as the Balmer formula.
