Rydberg's Equation, final minus initial or initial minus final?

[Jenaye Brelland 2I]

So you know the equation -(hR/n^2). And we find it for both energy levels and find the difference to get En. Well Is it always final minus initial or the other way around? Sorry if my question is hard to understand haha.

[Hannah Alltucker 3L]

I think it's final minus initial, since that would give you a positive value to multiply with the Rydberg constant.

[Brandon Pham 1H]

Yes it is always final - initial and will depend on whether energy is being absorbed or emitted

[Jenaye Brelland 2I]

Yes it is always final - initial and will depend on whether energy is being absorbed or emitted

How will it change based on being absorbed or emitted?

[Colin Squire 3B]

The Rydberg equation is final n state minus the initial n state! :)

[Brandon Pham 1H]

Yes it is always final - initial and will depend on whether energy is being absorbed or emitted

How will it change based on being absorbed or emitted?

If energy is being absorbed (electron jumps energy level), nfinal > ninitial (EX: n=1 to n=5)
If energy is being emitted (electron falls in energy level), ninitial > nfinal (EX: n=5 to n=1)

[Emma_Barrall_3J]

Brandon is correct. But the order should not change the value of your answer, only the sign. As long as you know energy increases when light is absorbed (+) and decreases when emitted (-) you will have the correct sign in your answer!

[Ashley Lopez 3J]

To follow up on her question,I still get confused when it asks about n2 and n1. Going by the logic of the comments above, this means that n2 is the final state and n1 is the initial state, correct? Or would it be the other way around?

[Jenny Chau 1I]

To follow up on her question,I still get confused when it asks about n2 and n1. Going by the logic of the comments above, this means that n2 is the final state and n1 is the initial state, correct? Or would it be the other way around?

This is something I'm also a little confused about because on the constants and formula sheet, it shows 1/n1^2 - 1/n2^2

[Jenaye Brelland 2I]

Yes it is always final - initial and will depend on whether energy is being absorbed or emitted

How will it change based on being absorbed or emitted?

If energy is being absorbed (electron jumps energy level), nfinal > ninitial (EX: n=1 to n=5)
If energy is being emitted (electron falls in energy level), ninitial > nfinal (EX: n=5 to n=1)

Oh! that makes sensee. Thank you!

[Massimo_Capozza_1G]

Is this equation on midterm 2 also?