Hyperfine and fine structure ENERGIES

[student1938]

What are the approximate relative sizes of the following energies?

a) The n = 1 to n = 2 energy difference in hydrogen and the rest mass mc^2 of an electron

b) The n = 1 to n = 2 energy difference in hydrogen and a typical fine structure splitting in hydrogen

c) A typical fine structure splitting in hydrogen and a typical hyperfine structure splitting in hydrogen

a) I know that E = -Ryd/n^2 where Ryd is Rydberg = -(m*e^4)/(2hbar^2)...do I just plug in constants and explain the difference between the two energies

b) and c ) I know that uI is approximately 1000 times smaller than uE but what does that have to do with energies?

Depsarately need help !

 

[student1938]

anything?

 

[Norman]

Originally posted by student1938

a) I know that E = -Ryd/n^2 where Ryd is Rydberg = -(m*e^4)/(2hbar^2)...do I just plug in constants and explain the difference between the two energies

b) and c ) I know that uI is approximately 1000 times smaller than uE but what does that have to do with energies?

Depsarately need help ! [/B]

a) yes... and you should be able to work out the rest mass of an electron fairly easily.