Emit Light

[Salma Sudarmadji 2I]

When light is emitted, does it always mean that the change in energy is going to be negative?

Thanks

[Alexandra_Ivanova_1A]

Yes, a negative energy means that light is being emitted, while a positive one means light is being absorbed.

[Alyssa_Hsu_2K]

Adding on to what Alexandra said,
The reason light emitted is negative is because we have set energy=0 as a reference point. Energy=0 happens when the electron is at such a high energy that it is detached from the atomic orbital.
Hence, it is important to recognize that energy,in reality, can never be negative. It is only shown to be negative here because of its relative position to when electron energy =0.

[Jessica_Nakahira_1G]

@Alyssa_Hsu_1G
Can you clarify, when you are saying that the electron is at such a high energy it's detached from the atomic orbital, does that mean the electron is simply moving between orbitals or is it strictly saying the electron is emitted?