Question

In: Physics

Atomic and molecular spectra are discrete. What does discrete mean, and how are discrete spectra related...

Atomic and molecular spectra are discrete. What does discrete mean, and how are discrete spectra related to the quantization of energy and electron orbits in atoms and molecules?

Solutions

Expert Solution

Solution : any quantity or value which can obtain only some specific values or some exact values is called discrete. The quantity can be found only in integral multiple of a predefined unit. For example I give you simple situation when you are moving up on a staircase you can be on either 2nd or 3rd stair but you can't be on 2.5th stair. Which means that the data can have only values 1,2,3,4 and so on. It can't be 2.3,2.5 etc.

Then we use the term that the data is discrete .

Every atom and molecule is composed of nucleas and electrons . The electrons are revoluting in some specific predefined path called orbits. Every orbit has its own energy and fixed distance from the nucleas.

If you have read bohr model you would be knowing about it already. As the election can be found only in orbits therefore they can have some certain value of energy . Any electron transferring from one orbit to another would require energy equal to the difference of the energy of orbits. Hence the electron can take only some certain and fix value of energy hence atom gives discrete spectra.

Suppose electron is orbiting in first orbit having an energy of 13.6ev then it jumps to 4th orbit having energy 2.4 ev then electrom during this transmission will emit 11.2 eV energy. As every orbit is fixed hence the energy difference is fixed so some certain values only can be obtained . So the spectrum is called discrete spectrum.


Related Solutions

Molecular emission spectra are much more complicated than just the sum of the atomic spectra of...
Molecular emission spectra are much more complicated than just the sum of the atomic spectra of their component atoms. There are extra lines in the infrared and microwave region of the e-m spectrum. Explain where these extra lines come from and explain the link between an understanding of these spectra and the enhanced “greenhouse effect” which is causing Climate Change.
Please answer these three questions: 1. What are the differences in spectra between molecular and atomic...
Please answer these three questions: 1. What are the differences in spectra between molecular and atomic absorption? Explain these differences using the types of transitions. 2. UV-Vis instruments used to measure molecular absorption typically have a broad wavelength light source while atomic absorption instruments use a light source that produces very narrow bands of light. Both are typically in the same UV-Vis wavelength range. Why don’t they use the same source? 3. Alkenes such as n-hexane are used as solvents...
what are does aryl mean in terms of HNMR spectra?
what are does aryl mean in terms of HNMR spectra?
what does it mean that a molecular orbital is antibonding or bonding?
what does it mean that a molecular orbital is antibonding or bonding?
Consider an observable with continuous spectra. In contrast with the discrete case, what can you say...
Consider an observable with continuous spectra. In contrast with the discrete case, what can you say about the eigenfunctions of this observable, the probability of obtaining a given value after a measurement, and the state of a system after a measurement is performed?
How is molecular polarity related to solubility?
How is molecular polarity related to solubility? please give details
What does polarity mean in this context? Is it an electrical polarity or a molecular one?
An action potential can be propagated in either direction along the surface of an axon. The direction it follows under physiological conditions is determined by a consistent polarity at most synapses What does polarity mean in this context? Is it an electrical polarity or a molecular one?
What are the various contributions to the linewidth of an atomic or molecular transition and explain...
What are the various contributions to the linewidth of an atomic or molecular transition and explain their origin.
What does it mean that structure and function are related in physiology? ​
What does it mean that structure and function are related in physiology? ​
Patterns of emission or absorption lines in spectra can uniquely identify individual atomic elements. Explain how...
Patterns of emission or absorption lines in spectra can uniquely identify individual atomic elements. Explain how positive identification of atomic elements can be used as one way of testing the validity of the cosmological principle discussed in Chapter 1
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT