Question about Atomic Spectroscopy

[Lianna Kishi 1A]

Why does each element have a different atomic spectroscopy? I think it was said in the lecture today but I didn't quite get it down. Thanks!

[Nishma Chakraborty 1J]

Hey! So, the atoms of each element all consist of electrons with unique arrangements. Their unique arrangement coincides with each individual electron having a different pattern of energy (which is released as a photon when an electron is excited and goes from a higher energy to a lower one). This distinct pattern of electron configuration/energy release leads to the variations in atomic spectra from element to element that we see. Hope this helps!

[Rachel Formaker 1E]

Because each element has a different number of protons, each element's nucleus has a different positive charge.
This variation in positive charge for each element causes the electrons in each element to be bound to the atom by a different amount of energy.
The slight differences in configuration caused by this differing energy means the gaps between electron levels in each element are different.
Since each element will only absorb/emit light of the exact energy corresponding to the gaps in its energy levels, each element has a different atomic spectrum.

[leilawilliams16]

wait so if every element has a unique spectroscopy then how do our problems all coincide with the same spectrums/ do we need to memorize the spectrum lines (Laymen series etc)???

[Thuy-Anh Bui 1I]

wait so if every element has a unique spectroscopy then how do our problems all coincide with the same spectrums/ do we need to memorize the spectrum lines (Laymen series etc)???

All our homework/test problems concerning spectroscopy deal with hydrogen, so we have only been working with its atomic spectrum. We only use hydrogen because its one electron makes these calculations feasible. You should know the three groups of transitions in hydrogen. Transitions from any energy level to n=1 is the Lyman series, transitions to n=2 is the Balmer series, and transitions to n=3 is the Paschen series.

Hope this helps!