## H-Atom Equation

H-Atom ($E_{n}=-\frac{hR}{n^{2}}$)

304922790
Posts: 25
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am

### H-Atom Equation

Why is there a negative sign in E(N)= -hR/n^2 aka the equation for H-atoms? Does the negative sign mean energy is lost when it goes from a higher state back to ground level? But for problems where the electron goes from ground state to a higher/ excited state (like from n=1 to n=2), do we still use the negative sign in the equation?

Abdullah2I
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:06 am

### Re: H-Atom Equation

Yes, I think you're right about the negative being from energy level going down/electrons being emitted. I'm not sure about the second part though.

Lianna Kishi 1A
Posts: 23
Joined: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:00 am

### Re: H-Atom Equation

For your second question: Yes you would still use the negative sign in the equation but when you calculate $\Delta E$
the energy would turn out positive.

Rachel Formaker 1E
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2017 7:04 am
Been upvoted: 2 times

### Re: H-Atom Equation

To elaborate on the last answer:
When you calculate ΔE, you do final-initial.
In this case, that means En (final) - En (initial)
When the electron is moving from a higher energy state to a lower energy state, ΔE will be negative. When the electron is moving from a lower energy state to a higher energy state, ΔE will be positive.