Calculate Change in Energy for n=4 to n=1 Hydrogen Atom

[xmflea]

Calculate the change in energy when the following transition occurs in the hydrogen atom.

n = 4 ----> n = 1

equation

E = -Rh/n^2

eventually my answer is 2.04E-18J because my book tells me to take 1 over n(low) squared minus 1over n(high) squared and multiply by rydberg constant.. so doing it according to the book i get a positive number

but the answer is -2.04E-18J... and now after looking online... I am getting serveral mixed sources, some saying that it is positive, others saying it is negative.. which is it.

 

[I'm]

Negative.

 

[Borek]

This is change in energy. Whatever atom loses is gained by surroundings, so sign if the change is either negative or positive, depending on the point of view.

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