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Experiment-126

HYDROGEN SPRCTRUM
AND DETERMINATION OF RYDBERG
CONSTANT
Dr Sudhakar Rao and G M Chaithra
Dept of Physics, St Aloysius College,Llight House Hill, Mangalore-575 003. Karnataka, INDIA.

Email: sr23us@Yahoo.com
Abstract
Using deuterium gas discharge tube, spectrometer and grating Balmer series of
spectral lines are observed. The wavelengths of the prominent Red (H) and Cyan
(H) lines are determined and compared with the standard values. The Rydberg
constant is calculated using wavelengths.

Introduction
Twentieth century started with the invention of Quantum mechanics by Max Planck [1]. His
theory was proved by Albert Einstein by explaining photo electric effect. A complete
theoretical explanation of the hydrogen atom based on the quantum mechanics was given by
Neils Bhor. Hydrogen spectrum was first observed by Anders Angstrom in 1853. Later
Johann Jakob Balmer derived an empirical formula to explain the spectral lines. Neil Bhor
studied hydrogen atom based on Rutherfords atomic nucleus theory and applied Planck
quanta. He believed in planetary motion and applied the same principle to the atom. As per
his theory, electron revolves around the nucleus with prescribed orbit and it does not radiate
any energy as far it is in its orbit. Radiation takes place only when the electrons are excited to
the higher energy levels by external source. This was a new concept in 1915. He calculated
the various energy levels of hydrogen and predicted various spectral lines for Hydrogen atom
from ultra violet to infra red region.

Line Spectra
The yellow light produced by Sodium Vapor Lamp is monochromatic light meaning it
contains only one wavelength. The light produced by electric bulb, white light LED, light
coming from Sun are non-monochromatic meaning it contains more wavelengths. White light
is a mixture of seven colors or wavelengths. The several wavelengths can be separated by
passing the light through a prism or grating. A continuous color variation from violet to red is
observed when the light is passed through a prism, which is called as continuous spectrum.
Enclosing a gas inside the tube and reducing its pressure and applying a high voltage 200015000KV; colored lights are produced. Such glass tube is called gas discharge tube. The

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lighter gases such as hydrogen, Neon, Argon, Carbon diode etc gives colored lights. If these
colored lights are used to illuminate objective of a spectrometer and grating; through the eye
piece colored lines are seen. These colored lines are called line spectra [2]. Different colored
lines are obtained for different gas discharge tubes. Hence these lines are spectral signatures
of the gas inside the tube. The colored lines observed are the images of the slit with different
colored wavelengths.

Hydrogen Gas Discharge Tube

Figure-1, A gas discharge tube used in the experiment

The gas discharge tube used in this experiment contains deuterium gas an isotope of
hydrogen. The gas is filled and pressure inside the tube is restricted to 0.5 to 10mm of
Mercury. Discharge tubes containing gases such as Neon, Mercury, Argon, and Helium are
more reliable and easily available for experiment. Discharge tubes containing hydrogen,
nitrogen and carbon dioxide are also available which are not so reliable. Because of the
atmospheric conditions such as the temperature, pressure, and light the gas inside the tube
slowly evaporate and tube becomes empty and no light comes after few years of use. The
discharge tube used in this experiment is show in Figure-1. Figure-2 shows the hydrogen
discharge tube mounted on a adjustable stand. The tube is 10 inch long and bulb diameter is
20mm.

Figure-2, Hydrogen discharge tube fitted to adjustable stand

Bhors Hydrogen Atom

Hydrogen is the first element in periodic table with one electron revolving round the nucleus.
The single electron is in the K shell (principle quantum number n =1) revolving in the 1s
orbit. As far the electron revolves round the nucleus in this orbit there is no radiation of
energy hence its orbit is a stable orbit. By enclosing the gas inside the tube, reducing its
pressure and exciting it with a high voltage, results in pink light radiation. This is the
characteristic property of hydrogen gas.

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The high voltage applied excites the atoms to go to higher orbits. There will be thousands of
atoms inside the discharge tube few of them will be pushed to L shell (n = 2), another few
will be pushed to M shell (n = 3) and another few will be pushed to N (n = 4) shell by the
applied voltage. The electrons come back to its original orbit radiating extra energy gained by
excitation. This energy lies in visible region resulting spectra in the visible region. In addition
to this there is radiations in UV and IR region resulting, transition from higher energy levels
such as n = 5,6 and 7. Table-1 shows the complete set of transitions by the hydrogen atom.
Bhor explained these spectral lines and determined their wavelengths. The spectrum in the
visible region was known before this explanation by Bhor. All the other radiations are
detected after his explanation by different people. Hence the series of spectra were named
after the scientists who have observed it and studied it.
Table-1
Spectral
Wavelength
Series
(nm)
To
n =2
Balmer
400-750
n =1
Lymen
10-400
n=3
Paschen
750-900
n=4
Brackett
2165-4051
n=5
Pfund
7457-4652
Complete transitions of hydrogen atom

Transitions
From
n =6, n =5, n =4,n =3
n = 4, n = 3, n = 2
n =6, n =5, n =4
n = 7, n = 6, n = 5
n =7, n = 6

Violet-410.2nm
Violet-434.1nm
Cyan-486.1nm
Red-656.3nm
Balmer
Paschen
Leymen
n=1
n=2
n=3
Brackette
n=4

Pfund

n=5

Figure-3, Possible transitions in hydrogen atom

Balmer Series of Spectral Lines

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Spectral
Region
Visible
UV
IR

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Out of four different series of spectral lines the Blamer series lines are in the visible region
which can be observed though spectrometer- grating. Two very strong lines are observed in
the Blamer series due to transitions to n = 2 levels from higher energy levels as shown in
Table-2.
Table-2
Color

Transition
From
n =6
n =5
n=4
n=3

Wavelength
(nm)
To
n =2
Violet
410.2
n =2
Violet
434.1
n=2
Cyan
486.1
n=2
Red
656.3
Balmer series of spectral lines and their wavelengths

Nature
Week
Medium
Strong
Strong

The energies of the electrons in the orbit is given by

h =

1
me 4 1
1
1
2 = 13.6 2 2 eV
2 2
2
8 0 h n n
n2
n2
n1

Where

n1 is lower orbit
n2 is next higher orbit

The wave number of the transition is given by

1
1
1
= RH 2 2

n2
n1

)
)
4

me 4
9.1x10 31 x 1.6x10 19
=
= 1.09 x10 7 m-1 Is called
2
3
2
3

8
12
34
8 o h c 8 x 8.85 x10
6.625x10
3 x10
Rydberg constant.

Where

RH =

)(

Johannes Robert Rydberg (1854-1919) observed hydrogen spectrum and obtained an

empirical formula for spectral lines in 1890. In honor of his contributions to atomic structure,
the constant appearing in the energy equation of hydrogen atom has been named after him.
The Rydberg const RH can be determined by measuring the angle of diffraction and knowing
transition levels.
RH =

2
2
1 n1 n 2
2

n 2 n 21

Apparatus Used
The complete experimental setup used in this experiment is shown in Figure-4. The setup
consists of hydrogen discharge tube, 2KV-5KV high voltage power supply, Spectrometer and
an imported Paton Hawksley (UK) make grating.

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Figure-4, Rydberg constant experiment setup

Experimental Procedure
The preliminary adjustments of the spectrometer

1. The telescope of the spectrometer is focused towards a white wall and the eye piece is
pulled or pushed so that the cross wire is distinctly seen. The vertical cross wire is made
straight.
2. The Spectrometer telescope is now adjusted to a distant object and the inverted image of
the distant object is observed. By adjusting the rack and pinion movement on the
telescope tube the image is made very clear. With these adjustments the telescope is set to
receive parallel rays. Hence these settings should not be disturbed throughout the
experiment.
3. The spectrometer is now placed in front of the hydrogen light with the objective of the
spectrometer close to light as shown in Figure-5. The slit is opened about 1mm to 1.5mm
and the slit image is viewed through the telescope. The slit image is made sharp by
adjusting the rack and pinion arrangements on the collimator tube.

Hydrogen Pink Light

Hydrogen tube

Figure-5, Collimator silt placed close to hydrogen light

Adjusting the spectrometer-grating to normal incidence

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4. The direct reading of the spectrometer is taken by coinciding the slit image with the
vertical cross wire. The telescope is now rotated exactly 90 from the direct ray reading
and fixed at that position.
5. A grating is taken and grating constant is noted. The grating is mounted on grating holder
fitted to prism table.
Grating constant N =6x105 lines/ meter
The prism table is now rotated towards the telescope, until the slit image reflected by the
grating surface is seen through the telescope. The vertical cross wire is made to coincide
with the slit image and the grating table is fixed at this position. The vernier table is
rotated away from telescope exactly by 45 and clamped. At this position the rays from
the collimator fall normally on the grating surface.
6. The telescope is brought back in line with the collimator tube and first order spectrum is
observed on the left side and two prominent lines red and cyan are identified in addition a
faint violet line as shown in Figure-6. The first order red line is coincided with the
vertical cross wire and spectrometer reading is noted on the left vernier. The reading
obtained is tabulated in Table-3. Similarly the cyan line coincided with the vertical cross
wire and the vernier reading is noted in Table-3.
Hydrogen Red line (H) Vernier reading = 287.585
Hydrogen Cyan line (H) Vernier reading = 117.950

Red

Cyan

Violet

Figure-6, Balmer series lines of hydrogen spectrum

Spectral
line
H
H

Table-3
Reading of diffracted ray
Angle of Diffraction
Left vernier 1) Right vernier(2)
= (1~ 2)/2
287.585
321.900
23.417
117.950
152.066
17.057
Angle of diffraction and wavelength of H and H lines

(nm)

662.36
488.87

7. The telescope of the spectrometer is now rotated to the right side and the same lines are
observed on the other side again. By coinciding the red and cyan lines with vertical cross
wire spectrometer reading is taken and recorded in Table-3. The difference in the two
readings for the lines are calculated and presented in Table-3. Wavelengths of Red and
Cyan lines are calculated using relation
=

Sin
Nn

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is the angle of diffraction
N is grating constant
n is order of the spectrum n =1

Where

Sin23.417
= 662.36nm
6x10 5

Rydberg constant is determined using H and H line wavelengths in equation -3

n12 n 2 2
2 2 x3 2
1
=
= 1.0869 x10 7 m 1
2

2
9 2
2
n

n
662
.
36
x
10
3

2
2
1

2
2
2
2
2 x4
1 n1 n 2
1
RH =
=
= 1.0903 x10 7 m 1
2
2
9 2
2
n 2 n 1 488.87 x10 4 2
RH =

Results
The results obtained are tabulated in Table-4.

Table-4
Parameter
Expt (m-1)
Rydberg constant 1.0881x107
H (Red)
662.36nm
H
488.87nm
Experimental results

Thet (m-1)
1.097X107
656.3
486.1

Niels Bhor (1885-

Niels Henrik David Bhor

Picture courtesy: nobleprize.org/physics/laureates/1922/bhor-bio.html

Niels Henrik David Bhor was born on 7th Oct, 1885 in Copenhagen, Denmark [3]. His father
Christian Bohr was a physiologist and mother was very rich. Bhor received very good
education since from the beginning. Bhor was graduated at Copenhagen University and in
1909 he got his masters degree in Physics and 1911 he obtained PhD in Physics. After his
PhD, Niles Bhor went to Cambridge University to join J J Thomson. However, he could not
continue his studies in Cambridge because his ideas and JJ Thomsons ideas were conflicting.
Bhor moved to Manchester in 1912 and joined Ernest Rutherford.

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Rutherfords theory of atomic nucleus, Plancks quanta and Einsteins Photo electric effects
were well understood by that time and believing in planetary motion Bhor using these ideas
developed the theory of hydrogen atom and published it in 1913. He assigned coordinates to
the revolving electron around the nucleus. The important concept of his paper was the energy
of the revolving electron. There is no radiation of energy by the revolving electron in
prescribed orbit. Radiation of energy takes place only when the excited electrons make
transitions from the higher levels to the lower levels. This concept about the atom was new at
that time. By that time hydrogen spectra was known and Balmer had determined wavelength
using grating and spectrometer. Bhor made theoretical calculations and his wavelength
matched with one obtained by Balmer. This gave him the confidence and he worked out all
the possible transitions and calculated the wavelengths. After his prediction of possible the
transitions; Theodore Lyman (1874-1954) US scientist detected transitions in UV region and
the series is now named after his name. Friedrich Paschen an Austro-German detected
transition in the IR region, now named after him. Frederick Sumner Brackette (1922)
detected transitions beyond IR region now named after him. August Herman Pfund (18791949, US) detected transitions from n =5 orbit now named after him.
In honor of his work on atomic structure, Niels Bhor was awarded 1922 Noble prize in
Physics. Among his other works, liquid drop and description of periodic table are well
accepted by Physicist and Chemists. Bhor was a fellow Royal Society (1926) and he was
recipient of World Peace Award (1957) and worked for universal peace latter in his life.
Bohr married Margrethe Norlund in 1913 and the two had six children. His fourth son Bhors
N Aage became Physicist and he also obtained Noble Prize in Physics in the year 1975 for his
work on Collective motion and particle motion in atomic nuclei [4]. From 1920 onwards
Bhor became director of the Niels Bhor Institute of the Copenhagen University till his
retirement.
Bhor also faced few hiccups during World War II. In 1943, being a Jewish he left the country
along with family fearing attacks from the Nazis. He escaped to Norway in a fishing boat. He
and his son Aage then escaped to US and helped US army to develop atom bomb. He donated
his noble prize money to Finish people to aid them against Nazi attack.
Bhor was a scientist who has seen his work being used for the destruction of life on earth. He
was aware of the consequences of atom bomb, before it was dropped. After seeing the
destructions, he felt very bad and rest of his life was to work against the use of atom bomb in
war. He promoted peaceful use of atomic energy and worked for universal peace.

References
[1]

Dr Jeethendra Kumar P K, LE Vol-4, No-1, March-2004, Page-11.

[2]

F A Jenkins and H E White, Fundamentals of Optics, IV Edition, Page-444.

[3]

Nobleprize.org/physics/laureates/1922/bhor-bio.html

[4]

Nobel prize.org/ physics/ lauretea/1975/index.html.

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