Tossup

This scientist and Walther Ritz name a “combination principle” that generalizes an equation developed by this scientist. Serge Haroche (“ah-ROSH”) used highly excited states named for this scientist to study photons trapped in an optical cavity. Using a reduced mass term allows for a constant named for this scientist to account for finite masses. This scientist’s namesake constant is equal to the fine structure constant (10[1])over 4 pi (-5[1])times the Bohr radius and is usually subscripted infinity. An exotic atom that could theoretically hold many atoms within it is this (10[1])scientist’s namesake polaron. An equation named for this scientist is used to derive the Lyman and Balmer spectral series for hydrogen. For 10 points, what Swedish physicist names a formula for emissions from electronic transitions in an atom? (10[1])■END■ (0[1])

ANSWER: Johannes Rydberg [accept Rydberg formula or Rydberg constant or Rydberg polaron or Rydberg atom or Rydberg state or Rydberg–Ritz combination principle]
<Ohio State B, Physics>
= Average correct buzz position

Back to tossups

Buzzes


Summary

TournamentEditionTUHConv. %Neg %Average Buzz
Lower Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01540%20%85.50
Midwest2025-02-016100%33%98.33
Northeast2025-02-01475%25%92.33
Overflow2025-02-01475%25%38.67
Pacific Northwest2025-02-01250%0%105.00
UK2025-02-011060%20%89.17
Upper Mid-Atlantic2025-02-01875%13%88.83