Negative v. Positive when calculating energy

[Ashita Tanwar 3H]

What does it mean when delta E turns out to be negative after calculating the energy difference between two energy levels? I'm not sure if the sign makes a difference

[amogha_koka3I]

It is negative because the electron's energy has decreased and the energy is released as electromagnetic radiation, hope this helps!

[mahika_nayak_3L]

The negative sign means that the bound electron has a lower energy value that a free electron, and in the calculations the sign is negative because energy is released and decreasing as a result of the reaction. The distinction does matter and it is important to ensure that ΔE is calculated using the final minus the initial n level.

[804994652]

Anytime energy is released it is considered negative.

[904914909]

When energy is released, it is negative/exothermic and when energy is absorbed, the reaction is positive/endothermic

[Kaylee Kang 1G]

When delta E turns out to be negative, it means that the reaction released energy.

[Chris Freking 2G]

When delta E is negative, it means that energy has been released. Positive delta E refers to the absorption of energy.

[angelagd3l]

Does the answer always have to be negative? Since its decreasing?

[Sydney Tay 2B]

Since the electron is decreasing in energy levels, it is losing energy and therefore would have a negative value. However, as it decreases in energy level it releases a photon which has a positive value in order to offset the previous negative values since energy can neither be created nor destroyed.