## Graph of energy levels

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

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Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:18 am

### Graph of energy levels

What is the graph of an electron rising/falling in energy levels supposed to look like? You know how there was a similar question on the midterm? Can somebody explain the energy process to me and how we know this?

sbeall_1C
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### Re: Graph of energy levels

The graph of an electron rising/falling has Energy on the y-axis (and the Energy is negative, building up to E=0). The principal energy levels are drawn parallel to the x-axis (n=1, =2, n=3,..., n= Infinity). To solve for the change in principal energy levels, you need to look for clues in the question, such as if it is a Lyman or Balmer series, which respectively correspond to n=1 and n=2 being the final principal energy levels. You then use delta E= -hR/(n^2) for both principal energy levels and use final E-initial E. If the electron is going from a higher initial energy level to a lower final energy level, you must make delta E negative because the electron is emitting Energy.