Transition Gap Three-Row Scan - Atomic Spectra: Energy Levels and Line Series Step by Step

Three level pairs show that a line gap is always upper energy minus lower energy. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

ground to middle subtracts the lower level

The lower level is 0 joules and the upper level is 4 joules, so this row's line gap is 4 joules.

\Delta E=4 - 0=4\ \mathrm{J}

middle to upper subtracts the lower level

The lower level is 4 joules and the upper level is 9 joules, so this row's line gap is 5 joules.

\Delta E=9 - 4=5\ \mathrm{J}

upper to top subtracts the lower level

The lower level is 9 joules and the upper level is 15 joules, so this row's line gap is 6 joules.

\Delta E=15 - 9=6\ \mathrm{J}