Question

explain how an emission spectrum is produced experimentally

Answer 1

According to the Bohr model of hydrogen, the atom is illustrated as small particle with a positively charged nucleus surrounded by electrons that travel in circular orbits. Atoms can make transitions between the orbits allowed by quantum mechanics. The jumping of these electrons between states,(the final and initial states) happens by absorbing or emitting exactly the energy difference between the orbits. When this energy takes the form of light, the frequency (v) can be calculated using the following equation ?E = hv, where ?E is the change in the energy, h = 6.626 x 10-34J·s (Planck’s constant) and v is the frequency emitted in the light. We will study the behavior of light of different elements using a spectrometer and a diffraction grating.

In this experiment, you will be given a lamp filled with a gas to study in which you will excite electrons to higher energy levels using electricity. When electricity is turned on, the electricity causes the atoms to become excited. When atoms are excited, they jump to higher energy levels. After being excited, electrons drop back into lower energy states, releasing a photon (light) of wavelength that corresponds to the energy absorbed. This process creates various colored lines called a spectrum. All elements have their own unique spectrum “finger print” that allows us to distinguish them.

1. Surrounding the nucleus of an atom are shells of electrons, small negatively charged particles. The nucleus is made of protons (+ charged) and neutrons (neutral in charge).

2. Electrons get excited by absorbing photons (a particle of light) or through collision with a nearby atom or particle

3. After being excited, electrons drop back into lower energy states, releasing a photon (light) of wavelength that corresponds to the energy absorbed.we will observe this as an emission spectrum.