Energy levels

[NicoJones_1B]

When calculating the frequency of light emitted by an electron, is it helpful to always draw a graph of the energy levels of that electron to help visualize the problem?

[Ellen Amico 2L]

I find that it's not really necessary since the question usually just involves the numbers. Just make sure to keep track of which energy level is the final one and which one is the initial, so a diagram might help you in that aspect.

[TYun_1C]

I dont't personally draw out the energy levels, but it might help to do so to figure out which is the inital energy level and which the final. This way you don't get confused when you subtract the energies. Hope this helps!

[Alexa Mugol 3I]

I think Dr. Lavelle did that in some of the worked out examples to help us visualize what exactly is going on in the problem. I don't think it's necessary to solve the problem, but drawing it out or visualizing it in your head until you understand it will be helpful in comprehending problems the first few times. I also think that visualizing it helps you predict the outcome of the problem (like if the electron drops from n=4 to n=2, you see it's going to a lower energy level and should emit energy rather than absorb it, so the calculated change in energy will be negative).