Question

Using Rydberg's Formula find out what is dependency of wavelength of a photon emitted on the atomic number of a hydrogen like atom. (Assuming all other parameters of the equation to be constant)

• A. Higher is the atomic number, more is the wavelength
• B. Higher is the atomic number, less is the wavelength
• C. Wavelength is independent of the atomic number
• D. Can't be answered using Rydberg's Formula

Answer 1

The correct option is B Higher is the atomic number, less is the wavelength

Rydberg's formula is :
$\frac{1}{\lambda }=R{Z}^2(\frac{1}{n_2}-\frac{1}{n_2})$
Straightforward. Right!! Keeping everything else as constant, if we increase Z, $\frac{1}{\lambda }$ increases which implies $\lambda$ decreases and vice versa.