Energy levels and emission spectra

The electrons in an atom have certain fixed values of energy. The smallest amount of energy
required for a change is called a quantum of energy. In any atom there are several possible
energy levels. These are called principle quantum levels or principle energy levels or energy
shells. They range from n= 1 etc. This indicates how far the electron is away from the nucleus.
A line emission spectrum produces line which can be used to identify elements. Each line in an
emission spectrum corresponds to light of a particular frequency. The frequencies and colours of
the prominent lines in the visible region of the spectrum. For example the spectrum of hydrogen.

Drawing of the hydrogen Spectrum

The small amount of radiation emitted by an electron when it falls from a higher to a lower
energy level is referred to as a quantum of radiation. The relationship between the energy (E) gap
of a quantum of radiation and its frequency (ν) s-1 is E= ℎ× ν
ℎ is a constant called Planck’s constant. The value of ℎ is 6.63 × 10 -34 Js-1
The emission spectrum for Hydrogen
This spectrum shows that electrons in any atom may exist in discrete energy levels. Bohr
indicated that an atoms will absorb energy and the electrons will move from the ground state to
an excited state. This will result in the electron moving into an orbital with a higher energy level,
which is further away from the nucleus. The electron is unable to maintain its movement due to a
loss of energy and as such the electron will fall back to a lower energy level. As it falls back it
releases a quantum of energy which is equivalent to the difference in the energy levels. The
greater the distance in energy level, the higher the frequency of light emitted. Each line is the
spectrum corresponds to a specific frequency and hence a specific quantum of energy thus
proving evidence for discrete energy levels within the atom.
Bohr assigned the energy levels of the electron with the letter n, the value of n being the lowest
energy level (nearest to the nucleus).
During the emission of hydrogen, lines are used to show the transition of electrons from one
orbital to the other. The lines from the visible spectrum are named accorder to the discoverer.
Lyman and Balmer Series
The Lyman series arise from the electron transitions from higher energy levels to principal
quantum number 1 (n=1).
The Balmer series arise from the transistions from higher energy levels to principal quantum
number 2 (n=2).

Shells and sub- shells

The principal quantum (n=2) shells can be sub divided into sub-shells. These are s,p, d, and f.
Each sub-shell can hold a specific number of electrons. Each sub-shell consists of one or more
atomic orbitals.
The table below shows the maximum number of electrons in the sub-shells
Principal Maximum S orbital P orbital D orbital
quantum No. number of e
n=1 2 2 - -
n=2 8 2 6 -
n=3 18 2 6 10

Atomic Orbitals
An orbital is the region of space where there is a high probability of finding an electron.
Each orbital can hold a maximum of two electrons. The number of orbitals in each sub-shell
s=1,p=3 and d=5.
Types of Quantum numbers
1. Principle (n) – it describes the energy level of the electron.
2. Angular (l)- it describes the sublevels in the principle quantum number and the shape of
the orbitals.
3. Magnetic (m)- it describes the number of orbitals within a sublevel.
Shape of orbitals
S is spherical, p is a dumbbell, d is a combination of S and P orbitals.
Nb. The relative energy in the 4s orbital energy is lower than in the 3d orbital, therefore, it
is easier to remove an electron form the 4s orbital than the 3d orbital.

NB. Follow the principles and rule

Aufbau principle- start filling electrons from the lowest energy level.
Pauli exclusion principle- no more than two electron can occupy an orbital.
Hund’s rule- electrons fill degenerate orbitals one at a time with parallel spin before a 2nd
electron is added with opposite spin.

Electronic Configuration
Write the 1st 30 elements of the periodic table.
Eg. Hydrogen 1s1
How to write the electronic configuration
-the proton or atomic number indicate the number of electron
- the use the guide below
Eg. Na is 11- 1s22s22p63s1
Remember the S orbital can only hold a maximum of 2 electrons. P orbital a maximum of 6 and
a d orbital a maximum of 10.
Ionization energies
It is the amount of energy that is required to remove an electron from an gaseous atom to form a
gaseous ion . When an electron is removed from the atom it forms a gaseous ion.
eg. Na(g) Na+ (g) + e-
This is for the first electron therefore we say the 1st ionization energy.
Successive ionization can take place if another electron is removed from the ion.
Eg. Na+ (g) Na2+ + e-
Try Al:

Factors that influence the 1st ionization energy of elements

 Atomic radii
 Nuclear charge
 Shielding
Atomic radius is the distance between the nucleus and the outermost orbital of electron.
The atomic radius decreases across the period.
Reason
As the move across the periods the number of protons and electrons increases. One proton has a
greater effect then one electron, thus electrons are pulled towards the nucleus, resulting in a
small radius.
The atomic radius increases down the group.
Reason

Nuclear charge is the total charge of all the protons in the nucleus. It has the same value as the
atomic number.
State the trends

Shielding is whereby other electron are partially shielded from the attractive force of the protons
in the nucleus by the inner electrons.
State the trends