Delta E values

[Miriam Sheetz 2B]

For V=E/h, why do we use the a positive delta E value even though it is actually negative?

[Andrew Sun 3F]

Yes, when the original calculation gives a negative value it just signifies that there was a negative change overall, but you can't have negative energy. The negative sign is just there for conceptual understanding.

[Sameen Mahmood 3D]

For the equation E=hv, you're trying to calculate the energy of a photon. The energy of an emitted photon can never be negative, that just doesn't make sense. When we discuss a negative delta E we're talking about a loss of energy. That equation doesn't deal with energy change; the equation E=(-hR)/n^2 does. That's where a negative E is permitted, because when electrons lose energy their energy in essence becomes "more negative". I hope that helped!!