Question

Before the quantum theory, experimentalists noted that in many cases, they would find three lines in the spectrum of the same atom that satisfied the following mysterious rule: 1/ 1 = 1/ 2 + 1/ 3. Explain why this would occur. Do not use reasoning that only works for hydrogen — such combinations occur in the spectra of all elements. [Hint: Restate the equation in terms of the energies of photons.]

Answer 1