How is a spectrometer produced? [ENDORSED]

[LyahFitzpatrick 2E]

If electrons dropping energy levels produces a spectrometer, doesn't that mean that a steady stream of electrons would have to be dropping levels for a steady line to show up in a spectroscopy? Do the electrons constantly jump levels as well to continue the cycle of emitting photons? How does this work?

[Chem_Mod]

It is not steady emitted lines/wavelengths.

Experiment is: excite sample, then observe lines

Lines/wavelengths are observed and recorded.

To continually observe emitted wavelengths the sample would need to be continually excited, which can be done but not needed.

Maybe I'll mention this in class.