Why do atoms only emit certain wavelengths of light when they are excited Why do line spectra exist?)?

Explanation: The electrons in an atom can only occupy certain allowed energy levels. Only certain energy levels are allowed, so only certain transitions are possible and hence specific wavelengths are emitted when an electron drops to a lower energy level.

Why is light emitted at specific wavelengths for each element?

Each element has a different set of allowed orbits, so each element emits or absorbs photons with different energies — and therefore, different wavelengths.

How do excited atoms radiate energy?

When an atom is in an excited state, the electron can drop all the way to the ground state in one go, or stop on the way in an intermediate level. Electrons do not stay in excited states for very long – they soon return to their ground states, emitting a photon with the same energy as the one that was absorbed.

Why do hydrogen atoms only produce light of specific frequencies?

The fact that hydrogen atoms emit or absorb radiation at a limited number of frequencies implies that these atoms can only absorb radiation with certain energies. This suggests that there are only a limited number of energy levels within the hydrogen atom. The energy levels of the hydrogen atom are quantized.

Why do atoms emit or absorb light of specific wavelengths How does this fact allow us to determine the chemical composition of a distant object?

Why do atoms emit or absorb light of specific wavelengths? They correspond to particular energy level transitions in atoms or molecules. Every kind of atom, ion, and molecule produces a unique set of spectral lines, so we can determine an object’s composition by identifying these lines.

Why does hydrogen atoms only produce light of specific frequencies?

What causes light to be emitted from atoms?

The frequencies of light that an atom can emit are dependent on states the electrons can be in. When excited, an electron moves to a higher energy level or orbital. When the electron falls back to its ground level the light is emitted.

What happens when atoms get excited?

When an electron in an atom has absorbed energy it is said to be in an excited state. An excited atom is unstable and tends to rearrange itself to return to its lowest energy state. When this happens, the electrons lose some or all of the excess energy by emitting light.

Why can only certain wavelengths of light be emitted from electrons?

It gives off photons (energy) in the form of visible light. Because these electrons can only reside in levels of specific energy and thus only lose certain amounts of energy, they can only emit certain wavelengths of light. Home Science Math and Arithmetic History Literature and Language

How do atoms emit light energy?

Atoms accelerating at high rates can emit bremsstrahlung, or breaking radiation. Finally, atomic nuclei in an excited state can decay to less excited states, emitting light energy.

Why do electrons in an atom only occupy certain energy levels?

The electrons in an atom can only occupy certain allowed energy levels. When an electron drops from a higher energy level to a lower one, the excess energy is emitted as a photon of light, with its wavelength dependent on the change in electron energy.

What is the energy of light absorbed by materials?

It depends on the type of light. Both Fluorescent lights and LEDs initially emit light in the UV range or near-UV range (high energy). This light is then absorbed by compounds which re-emit the light at longer wavelengths (lower energy).