Transitioning energy levels

[claire ikemiya_2I]

Hi, I'm still a little but confused on how to tell which numbers you plug into n2 and n1 when you use Rydberg's equation and was wondering if anyone could briefly explain? thanks.

[Ellison Gonzales 1H]

Hello! I definitely heard several different things regarding this topic. Since I heard opposing answers, I personally always just did (final - initial) instead of thinking of it as n2 and n1. This way always worked for me or at least for the specific problems I used it on. I know this isn’t a scientific explanation sorry lol

[Giselle Granda 3F]

n2 is your initial energy level, and n1 is your final energy level (in other words, the energy level you are transitioning down to). So say if the electron is going from the n=5 level to the n=2 level, then your n2=5 and your n1=2. You can also thing of n2 and n initial, and n1 as n final. Hope this helps!