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Glite Dictionary
Rydberg constant

Rydberg constant

9.9
A number used to calculate the wavelengths of light from hydrogen atoms
  • noun
  • /ˈrɪdˌbɜrɡ ˈkɒnstənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : constante de Rydberg
  • In spectroscopy, scientists use the Rydberg constant to estimate the energy levels of electrons in hydrogen atoms.

Examples

  • This gave the formula for the Balmer series in hydrogen, including the empirical Rydberg constant.

    Academic text (1997)

  • The Rydberg constant R, with a shift of 2.7 times its 1986 uncertainty, has the largest relative change in value of any constant.

    Academic text (2003)

  • The Rydberg constant is crucial for calculating the wavelengths of spectral lines in hydrogen.

  • The precise value of the Rydberg constant enables researchers to make accurate predictions about atomic transitions.

Surface Forms

Rydberg constant singular
Rydberg constants plural

Morphology

Rydberg + constant

The phrase is compositionally transparent in that 'Rydberg' (a unit/name associated with spectral lines) combined with 'constant' (a fixed value) clearly signals a fixed numerical value related to spectroscopy. However, the precise technical sense (the limiting highest wavenumber for hydrogen emissions) requires specialist knowledge, so a B1 learner would grasp the general idea but not the detailed scientific meaning.

Etymology

The term Rydberg constant is named after a Swedish scientist, Johannes Rydberg, and the word constant shows it is a fixed number he found that matched the bright 'spectral lines' seen in hydrogen's light. So, the name now refers to that special number used to calculate the 'wavelengths' of light from hydrogen.