Atomic Spectra

[MaryBanh_2K]

Why are there gaps and certain chunks of vertical lines on the atomic spectra and what do they represent?

[Chem_Mod]

There are gaps in the atomic spectra because the energy levels of atoms are quantized (i.e n=1, n=2, n=3). When an electron releases a photon, its energy is dependent on the change in energy level (from n=2 to n=1 for instance). If the energy levels of atoms were not quantized the atomic spectra would be a continuous band rather than discrete vertical lines.

[LNgo 1G]

Atoms in the same energy level are close together on the spectrum which would explain the chunks. The gaps represent the jump between energy levels since they are quantized rather than continuous.

[claudia_1h]

Note that the dark lines show that the atom can only absorb radiation at certain frequencies. Each element has a specific, characterizing absorption spectrum.

[Arianna Perea 3H]

what happens when energy of photon equals the threshold?

[505316964]

When the energy of the photon matches the energy of an electron that photon is emitted or absorbed.

when a high energy electron drops to lower energy level, the difference in energy is given off as a photon.